Homeowners scramble after insurance company hikes rates following major disasters: ‘Doubles down on the bad news’
Homeowners scramble after insurance company hikes rates following major disasters: ‘Doubles down on the bad news’

With prices continually rising, many people cannot afford to pay for insurance, making them vulnerable to financial damage as well as the risk to life that wildfires bring. What’s happening? The Washington Post reported that Allstate has been approved to raise insurance premiums by 34%…
State Farm Expects to Shed 1M Homeowner Policies in California
State Farm Expects to Shed 1M Homeowner Policies in California

State Farm, California’s largest home insurer, expects to cut 1 million policies to stay financially solvent. The Illinois-based firm, whose trademarked jingle is “Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there,” expects it won’t be here for a third of its statewide property insurance policyholders…
How Hurricane Helene could have widespread consequences for homeowners
How Hurricane Helene could have widespread consequences for homeowners

When Hurricane Helene slammed into Florida on Thursday night, it made landfall in the state’s sparsely populated Big Bend, far from the glittering cities with expensive waterfront property to the south. But that didn’t stop Helene from becoming another multibillion-dollar superstorm. The hurricane’s massive size…
Home listings now come with their climate risks—and the results are terrifying
Home listings now come with their climate risks—and the results are terrifying
A Florida homeowner was dropped by his insurer over drone images of his roof — here’s how to keep your policy intact
A Florida homeowner was dropped by his insurer over drone images of his roof — here’s how to keep your policy intact

When Mike Arman of Oak Hill, Florida, received notice that his home insurance policy wouldn’t be renewed, he was furious about the reason. Despite 52 years without a claim, his insurer claimed his roof was deteriorating based on satellite images, without conducting an in-person inspection.…
Bonny Doon homeowners to hear from state on insurance crisis
Bonny Doon homeowners to hear from state on insurance crisis

California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara has accepted an invitation from the Rural Bonny Doon Association to speak at an online forum at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 25, on the home-insurance crisis facing residents of Santa Cruz County who live in wildfire-prone areas. “All of us…
What to do if you can’t get insurance in California
What to do if you can’t get insurance in California

While plenty of Californians will tell you there’s nowhere they’d rather live, many will also tell you they’re fed up with trying to get affordable home and auto insurance. Still, homeowners insurance is not optional if a house is mortgaged, and all California drivers must…
California Insurance Commissioner says ‘real change’ coming to homeowners insurance crisis
California Insurance Commissioner says ‘real change’ coming to homeowners insurance crisis

In the last few years, most of California’s major homeowners insurance companies have paused or limited business in the state, citing the rising risk of wildfire, the cost of rebuilding homes and what they consider burdensome state regulations. As a result, hundreds of thousands of…
Anguished homeowners struggle to keep their insurance
Anguished homeowners struggle to keep their insurance

Kerry McCalmont’s insurance company told her to cut down the majestic oak tree towering over her Glendale house if she wants to renew her homeowner’s policy. But there’s a catch. A city ordinance declares that indigenous trees are “natural aesthetic resources” that add “distinction and…
California’s Sustainable Insurance Strategy: What the most extensive insurance overhaul in 30 years means for homeowners
California’s Sustainable Insurance Strategy: What the most extensive insurance overhaul in 30 years means for homeowners

It was a historic summer for California, with 2024 bringing the most severe wildfire season in 16 years. The Park Fire, which began in late July, has burned over 400,000 acres and blazed its way into history books as the fourth-largest wildfire in the state’s…
The best way to protect yourself from the home insurance crisis is also the easiest
The best way to protect yourself from the home insurance crisis is also the easiest

There are countless expensive and arduous ways to protect yourself in California’s home insurance crisis, but brokers say the simplest and most effective may be this: Check your mail. It may seem obvious, but letting a piece of mail from your insurance company fall through…
UP to Good Fundraising Dinner Supporting United Policyholders
UP to Good Fundraising Dinner Supporting United Policyholders

Please join friends, colleagues and special guests at DeLoach Vineyards to enjoy a delicious farm-to-table seated dinner and wine pairing in the beautiful rolling hills of Sonoma County that will raise funds to support United Policyholders, the consumer advocacy non-profit that has your back when…
Nosotros la Gente: FEMA – Dysfunction or distraction
Nosotros la Gente: FEMA – Dysfunction or distraction

My habitual optimism now faces an insurmountable conclusion concerning the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire Claims Office. When any governmental effort of that size, especially one with a clear and straightforward mission, remains in chaos two years after initial implementation, something is basically wrong. I have…
Many people don’t realize their home insurance doesn’t cover flooding
Many people don’t realize their home insurance doesn’t cover flooding

Hurricane Francine made landfall in Louisiana Wednesday night and has been dropping huge amounts of rain across much of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. It’s now a tropical depression and is headed north into Tennessee. Some 14 million people have been under flood watches from…
Park Fire Survivors Stuck in Recovery Limbo as Officials Figure Out What to Do
Park Fire Survivors Stuck in Recovery Limbo as Officials Figure Out What to Do

Under a low-slung ceiling of flashing disco lights, Yahmo Ahqha roared into the mic during his band’s practice. The band, called Yahmo, is in the performance space of an independent radio station in Chico. They have shows coming up, want to record an album, and…
Harris used her big climate moment to talk about … insurance?
Harris used her big climate moment to talk about … insurance?

The vice president was asked one climate question at the Tuesday debate. Her answer surprised analysts. When Vice President Kamala Harris was asked about climate change at Tuesday’s presidential debate, she used an unusual example to emphasize its importance. Property insurance. Harris’ description of how…
Think wildfires and hailstorms are raising the cost of home insurance? Technology may be the bigger culprit
Think wildfires and hailstorms are raising the cost of home insurance? Technology may be the bigger culprit

Homeowners in Colorado have been watching their insurance costs increase at rates faster than the national average. And they pay more on average to insure their homes than homeowners in other states – about $1,700 more, according to recent figures. You might hear that and…
Thousands turn out for Ember Stomp festival in North Bay to celebrate wildfire safety, preparedness
Thousands turn out for Ember Stomp festival in North Bay to celebrate wildfire safety, preparedness

As we head into prime wildfire season, thousands came out for a festival like no other in the North Bay on Saturday. Ember Stomp is a wildfire safety and prevention event, helping homeowners prepare for the very real possibility of a wildfire emergency. Freshly cut…