California’s FAIR Plan carries growing load as insurers retreat beyond wildfire zones
California’s FAIR Plan carries growing load as insurers retreat beyond wildfire zones

As another wildfire season approaches, California’s insurer of last resort is shouldering a rapidly expanding share of the state’s property risk, including in areas with relatively low wildfire exposure, as private carriers tighten underwriting and push more homeowners off standard policies. The California FAIR Plan,…
Sonoma County homeowners who have dealt with damage after a storm on what to expect
Sonoma County homeowners who have dealt with damage after a storm on what to expect

Several weeks passed before Connie Cloak and her husband settled a home insurance claim they filed in August 2024 when a large tree branch fell and damaged their Santa Rosa home. The wait was frustrating. But, according to Cloak, hardly a reflection of an otherwise…
Their homes survived the historic LA area wildfires, but a year later they fear living in them
Their homes survived the historic LA area wildfires, but a year later they fear living in them

A year after devastating Los Angeles wildfires, homeowners in Altadena and Pacific Palisades face dangerous levels of lead, asbestos and other toxins in their surviving homes. Many are forced to live in contaminated environments as insurance companies resist covering proper remediation. “DANGER: Lead Work Area”…
Homes that survived historic LA wildfires now face dangerous levels of toxic compounds
Homes that survived historic LA wildfires now face dangerous levels of toxic compounds

“DANGER: Lead Work Area” reads a sign on a front door of an Altadena home. “May damage fertility or the unborn child. Causes damage to the central nervous system.” Block after block there are reminders that contaminants still linger. House cleaners, hazardous waste workers and…
Legislation introduced to extend national flood insurance program
Legislation introduced to extend national flood insurance program

Bipartisan legislation introduced this week in the House would automatically extend the National Flood Insurance Program. Sponsored by U.S. Reps. Troy Carter (D-LA), Julia Letlow (R-LA), Cleo Fields (D-LA), Clay Higgins (R-LA), Mike Ezell (R-MS) and Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX), the legislation would ensure the National…
Where there’s smoke, there’s a fight
Where there’s smoke, there’s a fight

As the Los Angeles wild­fires died out in Janu­ary, fire­fight­ers trekked through the burn zones to take stock of the destruc­tion. For every home they found leveled, they coun­ted another still stand­ing. The struc­tures looked fine from the out­side, but ash and oily soot often…
California is drafting new rules for wildfire smoke cleanup. Are home insurers calling the shots?
California is drafting new rules for wildfire smoke cleanup. Are home insurers calling the shots?

Wearing protective coveralls and a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear-rated gas mask, Debbie McMahon walks in her Altadena living room on Sept. 25, where last year’s Christmas tree still stands after the wildfire evacuation. McMahon is among the many displaced Los Angeles County residents who…
California moves to set nation’s first smoke damage insurance standard
California moves to set nation’s first smoke damage insurance standard

One of the most common insurance complaints after a fire comes from people whose homes are still standing but covered in potentially toxic soot. Because there is no state or federal standard for smoke damage, insurance companies often refuse to pay for cleanup, leaving victims…
California High Court Refuses to Nix Fire Smoke Insurance Ruling
California High Court Refuses to Nix Fire Smoke Insurance Ruling

Insurance coverage for wildfire debris damage will remain limited under California law after the state’s high court denied requests to depublish an appeals court ruling favoring insurers. Consumer and policyholder groups filed their requests to depublish just days after a California insurance regulator issued a…
BACH TALK: A Fairer California Fair Plan
BACH TALK: A Fairer California Fair Plan

State and Federal public officials have protected homeowners by creating insurers of last resort that people can turn to when they’re unable to find a company willing to insure their property. Well known examples are Florida and Louisiana Citizens Insurance Corporations, the National Flood Insurance…
For people who lost homes in the Marshall Fire, insurance might not cover everything.
For people who lost homes in the Marshall Fire, insurance might not cover everything.

It could be months before many homeowners that lost everything in the Marshall Fire are able to even clean up the debris left by the blaze. In the meantime, many are already girding for battle with their insurance companies. Colorado Insurance Commissioner Michael Conway is…
Roadmap to Recovery Workshop for Partial Loss Survivors – Santa Rosa: Wednesday, 1/17/18
Roadmap to Recovery Workshop for Partial Loss Survivors – Santa Rosa: Wednesday, 1/17/18

Workshop for Partial Loss Survivors United Policyholders is hosting its next Roadmap to Recovery workshop in Santa Rosa for North Bay partial loss wildfire survivors on Wednesday, January 17th.  The workshop will start at 6PM at 547 Mendocino Ave. at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Santa Rosa.…
Delaware Governor Carney Signs Insurance Consumer Fairness Bill
Delaware Governor Carney Signs Insurance Consumer Fairness Bill

On Tuesday, August 1, 2017, Delaware Governor John Carney signed into law House Substitute 1 for House Bill 80 (HS 1 for HB 80), a consumer fairness bill that targets unfair discriminatory practices by automobile and homeowners insurance companies to determine premium costs. “Insurance rates…
Texas insurer drops push to let homeowners forgo right to sue
Texas insurer drops push to let homeowners forgo right to sue

The Texas Farm Bureau said it would offer lower premiums to customers who agreed to arbitration clauses, but consumer rights advocates rebelled. The Texas Farm Bureau has dropped a proposal that would have allowed its homeowner insurance policyholders to pre-emptively sign away their right to…
Too Darn Hot
Too Darn Hot

In most areas of the U.S. right now, it’s just too darn hot. If you’re in the scary position of having to evacuate due to a nearby wildfire, but lucky enough to come home to a house still standing, consider this: Nearby flames, smoke and…