Joel Laucher is a part-time employee with United Policyholders after 35 years with the California Department of Insurance. Joel started his career at the CDI as a market conduct examiner and went on over the years to serve in management positions including Division Chief of Consumer Services, Division Chief of Market Conduct, Deputy Commissioner for Rate Regulation, and Chief Deputy Commissioner.Before joining the CDI, Joel was a commercial insurance underwriter.He is a graduate of UC Santa Cruz – yes, a banana slug.
Can insurance companies change the risk factor to increase premiums without California Department of Insurance approval? Our homeowners insurance premium increased over 160% because the insurance company changed the risk factor for “water” risk, i.e. flooding. Our home and neighborhood are at about 150 feet…
We are rebuilding our home lost in the Marshall Fire. We are framing our home now and received a notice of nonrenewal for our homeowner’s policy due to “unacceptable risk.” I’ve contacted our insurer and the DOI, but feel pressure to shop for homeowner’s insurance…
How does the “safer from wildfires” list apply to home within city limits? i.e., “defensible space” can’t really be 100′ in town. Also, what does our Fire Safe Council need to do to be recognized by insurance companies as making our community resilient – and…