California issues landmark rules to improve home insurance market
California issues landmark rules to improve home insurance market

Landmark regulations intended to encourage insurers to write more policies in risky wildfire neighborhoods through the use of complex computer models were released Friday by the state. Under new rules intended to stabilize California’s troubled home insurance market, insurers will be able to set rates…
In a California “first,” Commissioner Lara announces enforcement of regulation to expand insurance coverage across state
In a California “first,” Commissioner Lara announces enforcement of regulation to expand insurance coverage across state

For Release: December 13, 2024 Media Calls Only: 916-492-3566 Email Inquiries: cdipress@insurance.ca.gov In a California “first,” Commissioner Lara announces enforcement of regulation to expand insurance coverage across state Homeowners and businesses will see greater availability, market stability, and recognition for wildfire safety through use of…
California’s Evolving Insurance Market: Is Relief on the Horizon?
California’s Evolving Insurance Market: Is Relief on the Horizon?

California’s home insurance market has been under immense pressure in recent years, leaving homeowners dealing with uncertainty about their coverage. Farmers Insurance, the state’s second-largest home insurer, recently announced a significant decision to expand the number of policies it writes each month. While it marks…
‘Mold, algae’: Insurer drops SF homeowners, citing aerial footage of roof that didn’t exist
‘Mold, algae’: Insurer drops SF homeowners, citing aerial footage of roof that didn’t exist

Have you been dropped by your insurer because of pictures taken of your house? 7 On Your Side investigates an insurance company who did that and looked into its use of aerial footage to make decisions on a local homeowner’s policy. Liberty Mutual Insurance says…
Farmers Insurance says they’ll write more policies as homeowners’ market improves
Farmers Insurance says they’ll write more policies as homeowners’ market improves

Farmers is California’s second-largest home insurer and the largest business insurer. It now says California’s “improved insurance marketplace” allows it to expand the number of policies it writes each month. But, does that mean California’s insurance drought is ending? With a total 8.4 million homes…
‘Mold, algae’: Insurer drops SF homeowners, citing aerial footage of roof that didn’t exist
‘Mold, algae’: Insurer drops SF homeowners, citing aerial footage of roof that didn’t exist

Have you been dropped by your insurer because of pictures taken of your house? 7 On Your Side investigates an insurance company who did that and looked into its use of aerial footage to make decisions on a local homeowner’s policy. Liberty Mutual Insurance says…
Farmers Insurance says it will add more policies in California
Farmers Insurance says it will add more policies in California

In a surprise announcement, California’s second-largest insurance provider, Farmers Insurance, says it is going to add more policies for property owners. Starting Saturday, Farmers told NBC Bay Area it will increase the number of new home insurance policies it accepts each month in California from…
Putting Florida more in line with national practices
Putting Florida more in line with national practices

Stacey Clark walks around her Bethel Creek home with her dog Sweetie on Oct. 15 after a tornado tore through her home Oct. 9 before Hurricane Milton passed through the area. Clark was in her home with Sweetie when the tornado ripped her roof off.…
Earthquake policyholders scarce despite quake risk
Earthquake policyholders scarce despite quake risk

North Bay property owners may be rethinking their insurance coverage following the 7.0 earthquake off the coast of Humboldt County on Thursday morning. Despite experiencing 90% of the nation’s earthquakes, only 10% of California’s residents have earthquake insurance, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.…
Earthquake policyholders scarce despite quake risk
Earthquake policyholders scarce despite quake risk

North Bay property owners may be rethinking their insurance coverage following the 7.0 earthquake off the coast of Humboldt County on Thursday morning. Despite experiencing 90% of the nation’s earthquakes, only 10% of California’s residents have earthquake insurance, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.…
The other ‘mean season’ begins as insurers tally losses, decide whether premium hikes needed
The other ‘mean season’ begins as insurers tally losses, decide whether premium hikes needed

In mid-November, more than a month after Hurricane Milton’s Florida landfall rendered her Zephyrhills home uninhabitable, Jessica Fernandez was still wondering how her life could be returned to anything like it was before Mother Nature’s fury descended from the skies. She filed insurance claims the…
High insurance and non-renewals hit hard in Mendocino County
High insurance and non-renewals hit hard in Mendocino County

Everyone knows that California, like many other states, is in the midst of an insurance crisis. The pressing questions are: What can property owners do to bring costs down, and is there help on the horizon? On Nov. 19, the eve of the season’s first…
What’s next in California’s insurance crisis? Commissioner Lara lays out plan, addresses criticism
What’s next in California’s insurance crisis? Commissioner Lara lays out plan, addresses criticism

Significant questions are being raised about promises made by California’s Insurance Commissioner alleging insurers will be expanding coverage in fire-prone areas by 85%. A critical issue that affects millions of policyholders across the state as insurers drop. 7 On Your Side investigates the promises Commissioner…
California homeowner made costly upgrades to satisfy his insurer. He still got dropped
California homeowner made costly upgrades to satisfy his insurer. He still got dropped

Sonoma County homeowner Ed Wong found himself in a rare situation: He knew exactly what he needed to do to avoid getting dropped by his insurer. The company had even given him a list. On it were three mandatory upgrades, for gas, plumbing and security…
Is it possible to get a break in an insurance crisis?
Is it possible to get a break in an insurance crisis?

Everyone knows that California, like many other states, is in the midst of an insurance crisis. The pressing questions are: what can property owners do to bring costs down; and is there help on the horizon? On the eve of the season’s first atmospheric river,…
Panel to tackle state fire insurance crisis Dec. 8
Panel to tackle state fire insurance crisis Dec. 8

California’s insurance crisis and what can be done about it is the focus of a panel discussion set for Sunday, Dec. 8, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Ojai Retreat & Inn, 160 Besant Road. The wildfire insurance coverage panel, organized by the Ojai…
National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Fall 2024 Meeting Summary
National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Fall 2024 Meeting Summary

The Mitchell Williams Insurance Regulatory team of attorneys recently attended the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Fall 2024 National Meeting which was held in Denver, Colorado. We have prepared a summary of the open sessions conducted over the course of the meeting highlighting issues…
Flood insurance in California: Here’s how to sign up
Flood insurance in California: Here’s how to sign up

California is once again being drenched by an atmospheric river-driven storm — but by the time a storm is in the forecast, it’s most often too late for homeowners to buy flood insurance. But it’s not too late to protect against future storms. Just 185,000…