Insurance companies increasingly drop homes throughout San Diego County as fire risks rise
Insurance companies increasingly drop homes throughout San Diego County as fire risks rise

The threat of wildfire is increasingly leading insurers to drop the policies of San Diego homeowners, a trend most prominent in the county’s rural areas but also affecting city neighborhoods from Scripps Ranch to Hillcrest. Seven out of 10 insured homes in San Diego County were located in ZIP…
San Diego fire victim shares tips and lessons learned
San Diego fire victim shares tips and lessons learned

Karen Reimus and her family lost their home and everything in it in the 2003 Cedar Fire that destroyed more than 2,200 homes in San Diego County. SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. — California’s drought conditions are going from bad to worse, sparking fears that this…
No matter the fire risk, California insurance companies can’t cancel your policy
No matter the fire risk, California insurance companies can’t cancel your policy

State officials have banned companies from revoking renewals of policies in high fire risk areas. For Amy Bach, the turning point in her job came in 2018, when she heard the news that 1 million trees in the Sierra Nevada forests were dead. “I’m not a…
Californians risk losing insurance, face steep premium increase as wildfires worsen
Californians risk losing insurance, face steep premium increase as wildfires worsen

Wildfires in California have burned a record 1 million acres this year. As wildfires continue to rage across the state, Californians face an increased risk of losing homeowners insurance or a steep premium increase. CALIFORNIA’S INSURANCE CRISIS Tucked away in an oak forest off Highway…
Homeowners may reap benefit of insurance coverage ruling
Homeowners may reap benefit of insurance coverage ruling

Tens of thousands of California residents in fire-prone areas have been caught in the middle of a battle between Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara and the insurance companies. The fight involves California’s FAIR coverage plan, the insurer of last resort, where homeowners go if their insurance…
Judge Rules California Can Expand Insurance For Wildfire Areas
Judge Rules California Can Expand Insurance For Wildfire Areas

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP/CBS13) — A judge ruled California’s insurance commissioner can order the “insurer of last resort” to offer more options for homeowners who live in wildfire-prone areas and can’t buy traditional coverage. Recent massive wildfires—like the LNU, SCU and North Complex wildfires that impacted…
‘Almost everyone is getting screwed’: After climate disasters, homeowners find their battle with insurers is just beginning
‘Almost everyone is getting screwed’: After climate disasters, homeowners find their battle with insurers is just beginning

[Please note the complete article is behind a paywall.]   A grant from the NIHCM Foundation helped fund reporting for this story. Even against the backdrop of the past 18 months, and epic levels of American suffering, John and Jodi Philipp have had a rough…
Some California homeowners in fire-prone areas face steep insurance increase
Some California homeowners in fire-prone areas face steep insurance increase

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — Across the state, homeowners are preparing for what could be another long wildfire season. Last year broke records for fires in the state, with more than four million acres burned, and this year has already seen hundreds more fires than the…
Court: California can expand insurance for wildfire areas
Court: California can expand insurance for wildfire areas

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. California’s insurance commissioner can order the “insurer of last resort” to offer more options for homeowners who can’t buy traditional coverage because they live in areas threatened by wildfires, a judge ruled. Massive wildfires in recent years have destroyed thousands of homes across…
California Homeowners Living in Wildfire-Prone Areas May No Longer Have Insurance
California Homeowners Living in Wildfire-Prone Areas May No Longer Have Insurance

At least 2.1 million Californians are at risk of losing insurance coverage on homes in wildfire-prone areas. California’s moratorium on insurance companies dropping coverage for homeowners in wildfire-prone areas is planned to end in November. As wildfires raged along the state last year, California residents living in…
Press Release: 2017 North Bay fire survivors inspire new law in Oregon to ease recovery
Press Release: 2017 North Bay fire survivors inspire new law in Oregon to ease recovery

SANTA ROSA, CA – United Policyholders (UP), a non-profit consumer advocacy group, today announced that California insurance reforms inspired by 2017 Atlas and Tubbs wildfire survivors are now law in our neighbouring State of Oregon. “One positive to come out of this region’s devastating 2017…
Cracking the Code
Cracking the Code

From time to time, state and local building codes get updated to meet current safety and energy efficiency standards. If you own an existing home, you don’t need to worry about paying for upgrades to comply with those new codes unless you’re making major repairs…
6 Tips to Streamline Insurance Payment on Home Damage Claims
6 Tips to Streamline Insurance Payment on Home Damage Claims

Maybe it’s a loud crash overhead. Maybe it’s shattering glass. Maybe it’s a steady drip of water coming down from your kitchen ceiling. For a homeowner, any of these sounds might mean that you’re about to get acquainted with the home insurance claims process. But…
It’s severe weather season in Texas — do you know where your homeowners insurance policy is?
It’s severe weather season in Texas — do you know where your homeowners insurance policy is?

If you tend to stuff your insurance policy away in a drawer or a file and not look at it for a year or more, it could cost you big. DALLAS — Wed., March 24 is an important date if you are eligible for a…
Rep. Marsh hosts insurance webinar, legal clinic for fire survivors
Rep. Marsh hosts insurance webinar, legal clinic for fire survivors

Those who lost homes in the Almeda and South Obenchain fires could find advice handling their insurance in a webinar this week and an online clinic next week. Oregon Rep. Pam Marsh of Ashland will host a free online workshop with an insurance focused nonprofit…
Fire Victim Trust to Begin Making First Pro Rata Payments to Fire Victims
Fire Victim Trust to Begin Making First Pro Rata Payments to Fire Victims

March 12, 2021, San Francisco – On Monday, March 15, the Fire Victim Trust (FVT) will begin distributing the first round of pro rata payments toward satisfying the claims of individuals and families who suffered losses in the 2015 Butte Fire, 2017 North Bay Fires…
Proposed insurance rules would give property owners access to wildfire risk score
Proposed insurance rules would give property owners access to wildfire risk score

Under new rules proposed by California’s insurance commissioner, home and business owners will have open access to their wildfire risk scores that companies use to determine rates and renew coverage. Commissioner Ricardo Lara said he has heard the frustration and confusion from residents over how…
Step away from the blowtorch…
Step away from the blowtorch…

The extreme cold, snow, and ice that swept across the U.S. in February 2021 is proof positive that closing the door on 2020 wasn’t a cure-all. If your home or business suffered damage due to freezing or bursting pipes or the weight of snow and ice on the…