Los Angeles wildfires could make insurance crisis worse
Los Angeles wildfires could make insurance crisis worse

The recent wildfires in Los Angeles could become the most expensive series of wildfires in California’s history, not due to the number of homes lost, but because of the high value of the properties affected, experts say. AccuWeather released a preliminary estimate this week, putting…
What California homeowners should know about filing an insurance claim for fire damage
What California homeowners should know about filing an insurance claim for fire damage

As deadly wildfires engulf swaths of Los Angeles County, forcing nearly 200,000 people from their houses, a still-to-be known number of residents will be contending with insurance claims to recoup losses and rebuild or repair their homes. For those looking to be treated fairly and…
California overhauled its insurance system. Then Los Angeles caught fire.
California overhauled its insurance system. Then Los Angeles caught fire.

On Tuesday, after a ferocious Santa Ana windstorm blew through Southern California, a severe brush fire broke out in the wealthy Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, burning at least 1,000 structures and forcing hundreds of thousands of residents to evacuate as of Thursday morning.…
Los Angeles Fires Burn Down Thousands Of Homes: Here Is How You Can Claim Insurance
Los Angeles Fires Burn Down Thousands Of Homes: Here Is How You Can Claim Insurance

Multiple wildfires have been ravaging Los Angeles County since Tuesday, resulting in at least five deaths and thousands of residents being displaced. Authorities called for more mass evacuations on Wednesday after hundreds of structures were destroyed. Now, locals are seeking insurance for their property loss.…
How the devastating Los Angeles fires could deepen California’s home insurance crisis
How the devastating Los Angeles fires could deepen California’s home insurance crisis

The fires across Los Angeles County are likely to be one of the most expensive natural disasters in U.S. history, with losses estimated at $50 billion or more. The losses threatened to deepen a crisis that has already left hundreds of thousands of Californians struggling to…
Tools for recovering insurance after wildfires
Tools for recovering insurance after wildfires

Amy Bach, executive director of the nonprofit United Policyholders, joined us to discuss how she and her team provide tools and resources for navigating insurance after disasters, such as devastating wildfires. For more information, visit UPHelp.org. This segment aired on the KTLA 5 Morning News…
Los Angeles wildfires rage as California homeowners battle an ‘insurance crisis’
Los Angeles wildfires rage as California homeowners battle an ‘insurance crisis’

Analysts estimate the insured losses in Pacific Palisades alone could approach $10 billion, squeezing insurance companies at a time when some have been pulling back policies. The wind-driven wildfires burning out of control in the Los Angeles area couldn’t have emerged at a more perilous…
Los Angeles Fires Become Existential Test for California’s Stopgap Insurer
Los Angeles Fires Become Existential Test for California’s Stopgap Insurer

The conflagrations tearing across Los Angeles are on track to be among the most expensive wildfire disasters in US history, draining insurance coffers and threatening California’s massive state-sponsored insurance program. Losses from the fires “could push insurance markets over the brink in California,” said Michael…
California overhauled its insurance system. Then Los Angeles caught fire.
California overhauled its insurance system. Then Los Angeles caught fire.

On Tuesday, after a ferocious Santa Ana windstorm blew through Southern California, a severe brush fire broke out in the wealthy Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, burning at least 1,000 structures and forcing hundreds of thousands of residents to evacuate as of Thursday morning.…
Insurance claim tips for homeowners affected by Southern California wildfires
Insurance claim tips for homeowners affected by Southern California wildfires

Multiple wildfires have been sweeping across Los Angeles County since Tuesday, killing at least five and pushing thousands out of their homes. The total damage is not yet known; the fires were 0% contained as of Wednesday. For the owners of the 1,000-plus structures destroyed…
If you lost your home or business in the wildfires, here’s what to do next
If you lost your home or business in the wildfires, here’s what to do next

With thousands of structures destroyed by wildfires that continue to rage out of control around Los Angeles, homeowners and business owners face a long road ahead to recoup their losses. Filing an insurance claim is one of the many tasks to take care of after…
Frustrated About Insurance Denials? You’re Not Alone.
Frustrated About Insurance Denials? You’re Not Alone.

My book “Delay, Deny, Defend: Why Insurance Companies Don’t Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It” was thrust into the spotlight recently after UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was killed last month in what authorities say was a targeted attack. Investigators at the scene…
Getting Insured: Tips for finding home insurance in California
Getting Insured: Tips for finding home insurance in California

If 2024 is the year you can finally buy a new home, the next and maybe even greater challenge could very well be getting home insurance. Or perhaps you are a current homeowner and have been dropped by your insurance company. That’s what happened to…
California finalized its plan to ease home insurance crisis. Here’s what it means for rates
California finalized its plan to ease home insurance crisis. Here’s what it means for rates

When a major wildfire hits, insurance companies call on insurance of their own — and starting next year, they’ll be able to charge consumers for part of the millions of dollars they spend on it. Insurance companies purchase reinsurance for the same reasons homeowners purchase…
Plans take shape for Colorado’s FAIR Plan “last resort” home insurance
Plans take shape for Colorado’s FAIR Plan “last resort” home insurance

The Colorado FAIR Plan is the first public insurance program to operate in the United States in 40 years to sell property insurance policies to those who cannot find coverage on the open market. Read more
Earthquake policyholders few despite quake risk
Earthquake policyholders few despite quake risk

North Bay property owners may be rethinking their insurance coverage following the 7.0 earthquake offthe 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. “I…
Rockets to our rescue? New insurer uses physics to sell (not drop) home policies
Rockets to our rescue? New insurer uses physics to sell (not drop) home policies

Insurance is complicated, with long lawyerly contracts and jargon by the ream. To the average policyholder, it’s as complex as rocket science. And that’s exactly what a new insurance company is bringing to California’s insurance crisis: some rocket science. “This will be a new way…
Why California Insurers Are Being Forced Back Into Wildfire Zones
Why California Insurers Are Being Forced Back Into Wildfire Zones

California Introduces New Rules to Boost Wildfire Coverage in At-Risk Areas California has long struggled with providing adequate home insurance to residents living in wildfire-prone regions. After devastating fires in recent years and increasing climate risks, a new set of regulations aims to stabilize the…