Garden Grove Evacuation Highlights Insurance Claim Challenges Following Chemical Tank Emergency
Garden Grove Evacuation Highlights Insurance Claim Challenges Following Chemical Tank Emergency

Residents evacuated during last month’s chemical tank crisis in Garden Grove, California, are reporting difficulties recovering evacuation-related expenses, with some insurance claims denied despite mandatory evacuation orders. On May 22, authorities ordered evacuations in parts of Orange County after firefighters warned that a tank containing…
You probably undervalue your stuff. Proper documentation could save you money.
You probably undervalue your stuff. Proper documentation could save you money.

It’s Oklahoma. Severe weather is a given. But after those storms, a staggering number of homeowners find out too late they are underinsured — leaving thousands of dollars on the table because they forgot to account for what’s hidden in their drawers and closets. Around…
Chase Bank withheld $100K from Florida couple for an entire year, forcing them to take $250K from their 401(k). Now they owe the IRS tens of thousands
Chase Bank withheld $100K from Florida couple for an entire year, forcing them to take $250K from their 401(k). Now they owe the IRS tens of thousands

Chris and Analia DeHayes lost their Ruskin, Florida home to flooding during Hurricane Helene two years ago. What followed was a nightmare that had nothing to do with the storm, but everything to do with their bank. The couple had flood insurance through FEMA’s National…
Evacuees face hurdles with insurance claims following Garden Grove chemical tank crisis
Evacuees face hurdles with insurance claims following Garden Grove chemical tank crisis

Residents forced to evacuate parts of Orange County last month after a chemical tank crisis in Garden Grove say they are struggling to recover out-of-pocket costs, with some insurance claims quickly denied. A fund created to support about 50,000 affected residents has stopped accepting applications…
Inside California’s Home Insurance Squeeze: Higher Bills, Fewer Choices
Inside California’s Home Insurance Squeeze: Higher Bills, Fewer Choices

After the LA fires, a $1 billion bill landed on providers and their customers; costs jumped 84% over 6 years, Stanford data shows. In A Nutshell Average monthly home insurance premiums for California single-family homes rose 84% between 2020 and 2026 (45% after inflation), about…
Is Your Home Underinsured? Here’s How to Tell.
Is Your Home Underinsured? Here’s How to Tell.

Your house isn’t just a place to hang your hat — it’s also one of your most valuable financial assets. That’s why homeowners without enough insurance can face financial ruin when disaster strikes and they find themselves suddenly homeless and unable to rebuild. The problem…
Community Advocacy and Impact Initiative Finalist: Reed Smith
Community Advocacy and Impact Initiative Finalist: Reed Smith

Reed Smith is one of the finalists of The Recorder’s Community Advocacy and Impact Initiative award. Read a Q&A below. Read more.
Is Climate Disaster Insurance a Worsening Disaster?
Is Climate Disaster Insurance a Worsening Disaster?

When Hurricane Helene inundated and wiped out large swaths of North Carolina and Tennessee in 2024, in some counties fewer than 2% of residents had flood insurance. Today, many still have not recovered. Climate disasters are getting worse. It’s not just floods. The 2018 Camp…
California Homeowners Face New Wildfire Deductibles
California Homeowners Face New Wildfire Deductibles

Some California homeowners are now facing new wildfire deductibles in their insurance policies, causing concern among residents and officials. Attorney Shant Karnikian, who represents Los Angeles residents affected by last year’s fires, discovered a $621,000 wildfire deductible in a client’s AIG insurance policy. This is…
Some California homeowners now face ‘wildfire deductibles.’ Why that’s a problem.
Some California homeowners now face ‘wildfire deductibles.’ Why that’s a problem.

After a Washington Post inquiry, Michael Soller, deputy commissioner of communications for the California Department of Insurance, indicated Commissioner Ricardo Lara will launch a review of these insurance policies. Read more.
Homeowners face crushing insurance cost increases
Homeowners face crushing insurance cost increases

Homeowners insurance premiums climbed 24% nationwide between 2021 and 2024, with the steepest increases hitting inland states like Utah and Illinois rather than the hurricane-prone coasts. Communities that were once considered low risk for insurance pricing are now facing double-digit rate increases. Higher construction costs…
Homeowners face crushing insurance cost increases
Homeowners face crushing insurance cost increases

Homeowners insurance premiums climbed 24% nationwide between 2021 and 2024, with the steepest increases hitting inland states like Utah and Illinois rather than the hurricane-prone coasts. Communities that were once considered low risk for insurance pricing are now facing double-digit rate increases. Higher construction costs…
Homeowners insurance premiums have soared in recent years. How to reduce your costs
Homeowners insurance premiums have soared in recent years. How to reduce your costs

Homeowners insurance costs have risen sharply for many people around the U.S. in recent years. Policyholders looking to reduce their premiums have some relatively straightforward options, according to insurance experts. Other maneuvers require a financial investment that could ultimately save money in the long run,…
Hoʻōla LTRG, MDS and partners celebrate Valerie Hoʻopai and ʻohana’s return home to Lahaina
Hoʻōla LTRG, MDS and partners celebrate Valerie Hoʻopai and ʻohana’s return home to Lahaina

More than 150 project partners, friends, family and community supporters gathered Friday for a home dedication and blessing honoring Valerie Hoʻopai and her ʻohana in Lahaina. The blessing marked a meaningful milestone in the Hoʻopai ʻohana’s recovery journey, as they returned to a newly rebuilt…
Battle over smoke-damaged homes from LA County wildfires could reshape fire insurance
Battle over smoke-damaged homes from LA County wildfires could reshape fire insurance

The outcome could have ramifications nationwide and either open the door to billions in additional claims or slam the door shut for homeowners. Read more.
The Home-Insurance Coin Flip: Nearly Half of Claims Result in Zero Payout
The Home-Insurance Coin Flip: Nearly Half of Claims Result in Zero Payout

When disaster strikes, many Americans face a near flip-of-the-coin chance that their home insurer will pay a claim. And the problem is getting worse. The five biggest home-insurers as a group didn’t pay out on more than 44% of claims resolved last year, forcing homeowners…
Insurance Commissioner candidates stump for votes at the beach
Insurance Commissioner candidates stump for votes at the beach

As wildfire recovery continues across communities including Pacific Palisades, Malibu and Altadena, the race for California Insurance Commissioner has evolved beyond discussions of premiums and policies into something much larger; a debate over who gets rebuilt, how quickly communities recover and whether California’s insurance system…
42% of homeowners say insurance costs have gone up ‘a lot,’ survey finds. Here’s why
42% of homeowners say insurance costs have gone up ‘a lot,’ survey finds. Here’s why

Homeowners insurance costs have been rising fast in the U.S. — and policyholders are taking notice. About 71% of homeowners said the cost of their homeowners insurance has increased over the past few years, with 42% saying costs have gone up “a lot,” according to…