Fire insurance policies: an endangered species
Fire insurance policies: an endangered species

SAN MATEO COUNTY, Calif. – With fire season now just peaking and plenty of weeks still to go, we have already racked up California’s worst ever fire season. On a regular basis, homeowners in the urban wildland interface are getting multiple shocks from massive insurance…
Insurance companies increasingly drop homes throughout San Diego County as fire risks rise
Insurance companies increasingly drop homes throughout San Diego County as fire risks rise

The threat of wildfire is increasingly leading insurers to drop the policies of San Diego homeowners, a trend most prominent in the county’s rural areas but also affecting city neighborhoods from Scripps Ranch to Hillcrest. Seven out of 10 insured homes in San Diego County were located in ZIP…
San Diego fire victim shares tips and lessons learned
San Diego fire victim shares tips and lessons learned

Karen Reimus and her family lost their home and everything in it in the 2003 Cedar Fire that destroyed more than 2,200 homes in San Diego County. SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. — California’s drought conditions are going from bad to worse, sparking fears that this…
No matter the fire risk, California insurance companies can’t cancel your policy
No matter the fire risk, California insurance companies can’t cancel your policy

State officials have banned companies from revoking renewals of policies in high fire risk areas. For Amy Bach, the turning point in her job came in 2018, when she heard the news that 1 million trees in the Sierra Nevada forests were dead. “I’m not a…
Californians risk losing insurance, face steep premium increase as wildfires worsen
Californians risk losing insurance, face steep premium increase as wildfires worsen

Wildfires in California have burned a record 1 million acres this year. As wildfires continue to rage across the state, Californians face an increased risk of losing homeowners insurance or a steep premium increase. CALIFORNIA’S INSURANCE CRISIS Tucked away in an oak forest off Highway…
Homeowners may reap benefit of insurance coverage ruling
Homeowners may reap benefit of insurance coverage ruling

Tens of thousands of California residents in fire-prone areas have been caught in the middle of a battle between Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara and the insurance companies. The fight involves California’s FAIR coverage plan, the insurer of last resort, where homeowners go if their insurance…
Judge Rules California Can Expand Insurance For Wildfire Areas
Judge Rules California Can Expand Insurance For Wildfire Areas

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP/CBS13) — A judge ruled California’s insurance commissioner can order the “insurer of last resort” to offer more options for homeowners who live in wildfire-prone areas and can’t buy traditional coverage. Recent massive wildfires—like the LNU, SCU and North Complex wildfires that impacted…
‘Almost everyone is getting screwed’: After climate disasters, homeowners find their battle with insurers is just beginning
‘Almost everyone is getting screwed’: After climate disasters, homeowners find their battle with insurers is just beginning

[Please note the complete article is behind a paywall.]   A grant from the NIHCM Foundation helped fund reporting for this story. Even against the backdrop of the past 18 months, and epic levels of American suffering, John and Jodi Philipp have had a rough…
Some California homeowners in fire-prone areas face steep insurance increase
Some California homeowners in fire-prone areas face steep insurance increase

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — Across the state, homeowners are preparing for what could be another long wildfire season. Last year broke records for fires in the state, with more than four million acres burned, and this year has already seen hundreds more fires than the…
Court: California can expand insurance for wildfire areas
Court: California can expand insurance for wildfire areas

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. California’s insurance commissioner can order the “insurer of last resort” to offer more options for homeowners who can’t buy traditional coverage because they live in areas threatened by wildfires, a judge ruled. Massive wildfires in recent years have destroyed thousands of homes across…
California Homeowners Living in Wildfire-Prone Areas May No Longer Have Insurance
California Homeowners Living in Wildfire-Prone Areas May No Longer Have Insurance

At least 2.1 million Californians are at risk of losing insurance coverage on homes in wildfire-prone areas. California’s moratorium on insurance companies dropping coverage for homeowners in wildfire-prone areas is planned to end in November. As wildfires raged along the state last year, California residents living in…
The appeal of COVID-19 business interruption appeals
The appeal of COVID-19 business interruption appeals

July 9, 2021 – More than one year has passed since the start of the COVID-19 global pandemic. According to the Centers for Disease Control, COVID-19 has infected more than 33 million people in the United States and more than 600,000 have died. Also in…
After years of deadly fires, PG&E again vows to do better
After years of deadly fires, PG&E again vows to do better

By MICHAEL LIEDTKE The Associated Press SANTA ROSA, Calif. (AP) — The nation’s largest utility has long vowed to change its reckless ways, but year after year there’s more death and destruction from Northern California wildfires sparked by Pacific Gas & Electric’s equipment. CEO Patricia…
Here’s how California homeowners are trying to save their fire insurance
Here’s how California homeowners are trying to save their fire insurance

With insurers canceling coverage and raising rates, should fire-proofing homes count? Susan Hassett did everything she could to convince the insurance companies her Yolo County ranch could survive a wildfire. After Allstate told the retired firefighter in 2017 that the devastating blazes across the state…
This One Common Insurance Mistake Could Cost You Thousands, Experts Warn
This One Common Insurance Mistake Could Cost You Thousands, Experts Warn

REMEDY IT IMMEDIATELY TO KEEP THIS COSTLY ERROR FROM DRAINING YOUR BANK ACCOUNT. Across the U.S., there have been snowstorms in May and heatwaves in November, making it clear that the weather is getting harder and harder to plan for. When unpredictable weather strikes, having insurance can help protect…
Press Release: 2017 North Bay fire survivors inspire new law in Oregon to ease recovery
Press Release: 2017 North Bay fire survivors inspire new law in Oregon to ease recovery

SANTA ROSA, CA – United Policyholders (UP), a non-profit consumer advocacy group, today announced that California insurance reforms inspired by 2017 Atlas and Tubbs wildfire survivors are now law in our neighbouring State of Oregon. “One positive to come out of this region’s devastating 2017…
With Start of Hurricane Season, It’s Time to Consider Flood Insurance
With Start of Hurricane Season, It’s Time to Consider Flood Insurance

Most policies are issued by the government, which plans to change the way it prices its policies in the fall to better reflect climate risks. This year’s hurricane season began early, with a named storm forming before the official start on June 1, and it is expected…
Insurance Companies Provide Coverage After COVID-19 Vaccination
Insurance Companies Provide Coverage After COVID-19 Vaccination

Three COVID-19 vaccines have received emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration, and more than 163 million people in the U.S. — nearly 50% of the total population — had received at least one dose of vaccine as of May 25. (See SciCheck’s articles on each…