Homeowners Are Facing an Insurance Crisis. CR Thinks These 9 Basic Rights Could Help.
Homeowners Are Facing an Insurance Crisis. CR Thinks These 9 Basic Rights Could Help.

Consumer advocates propose a bill of rights. Plus, expert tips on how to protect yourself and your home in the meantime. Melissa Hudson says she was stunned last year when the insurance premiums on her home in Port Orchard, Wash., shot up 40 percent—even though…
Where We Stand: A Homeowners Insurance Bill of Rights
Where We Stand: A Homeowners Insurance Bill of Rights

The increasing frequency of extreme weather events, combined with the rising cost of repairs and building materials, has destabilized the home insurance market. Homeowners increasingly face skyrocketing premium prices, and many are losing coverage as insurance companies pull out of regional markets altogether. At the…
New California laws aim to stabilize state’s wildfire insurance market
New California laws aim to stabilize state’s wildfire insurance market

The recent rains may have lowered the threat of wildfire in the area, but the problem of maintaining fire insurance is a year-round problem for many in California. As a result, a number of new laws have just been adopted that aim to stabilize the…
US insurers using drones to inspect homes without owners knowing — even canceling polices. What can you do?
US insurers using drones to inspect homes without owners knowing — even canceling polices. What can you do?

Your homeowners’ insurance is just that — your peace of mind should something go catastrophically wrong at home. It’s typically not something you expect to be hassled with, nor do you wish to be threatened with policy cancellation over trivial matters. So when a Massachusetts…
Policyholder’s Notice Of Claim Does Not Satisfy Notice Requirement For Other Insureds
Policyholder’s Notice Of Claim Does Not Satisfy Notice Requirement For Other Insureds

The United States District Court for the Central District of California, applying California law, has held that coverage was barred for insureds who did not give timely notice, despite timely notice by the policyholder. Evanston Ins. Co. v. Frederick, 2025 WL 2019379 (C.D. Cal., June…
Wildfire safety leads Commissioner Lara’s agenda as Governor Newsom signs sponsored bills
Wildfire safety leads Commissioner Lara’s agenda as Governor Newsom signs sponsored bills

Putting money in people’s pockets, strengthening incentives, and introducing the nation’s first public wildfire model SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara announced new wildfire safety protections for California consumers as Governor Gavin Newsom signed three critical bills aimed at enhancing mitigation efforts, reducing risk,…
After insurance pullback, advocates demand a ‘bill of rights’ for California policyholders
After insurance pullback, advocates demand a ‘bill of rights’ for California policyholders

A leading consumer group is proposing a policyholder rights initiative that would require insurers to offer coverage to California homeowners who fireproof their homes — or lose the right to sell home or auto insurance in the state for five years. Read more.
California’s insurer of last resort would face more scrutiny under bill heading to Newsom’s desk
California’s insurer of last resort would face more scrutiny under bill heading to Newsom’s desk

In the closing days of the legislative year, California lawmakers sent Gov. Gavin Newsom a bill that is meant to toughen scrutiny of the state’s embattled fire insurer of last resort by insisting that two of their leaders join its governing committee. Assembly Bill 234…
Bill to Increase Oversight of California’s FAIR Plan Awaits Newsom
Bill to Increase Oversight of California’s FAIR Plan Awaits Newsom

California lawmakers have passed Assembly Bill 234, which aims to increase scrutiny of the state’s FAIR Plan, the insurer of last resort for homeowners who cannot secure policies from other companies. The bill now awaits the signature of Governor Gavin Newsom. The legislation proposes adding…
California’s insurer of last resort would face more scrutiny under bill heading to Newsom’s desk
California’s insurer of last resort would face more scrutiny under bill heading to Newsom’s desk

Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism. Keep up with LAist. If you’re enjoying this article, you’ll love…
Senator Dave Cortese’s Bill to Establish the Nation’s First Catastrophic Model for Wildfires Passes the Assembly
Senator Dave Cortese’s Bill to Establish the Nation’s First Catastrophic Model for Wildfires Passes the Assembly

As wildfires continue to break out throughout California, Senator Dave Cortese’s SB 429 will help homeowners understand their property’s wildfire risk. It creates the nation’s first-of-its-kind public wildfire catastrophe model to assess wildfire risk and help inform insurance rates. “My bill establishes a public wildfire catastrophe…
Flying Cameras Are Snapping Photos of Houses for Insurers. Will a California Bill Help Homeowners See Them?
Flying Cameras Are Snapping Photos of Houses for Insurers. Will a California Bill Help Homeowners See Them?

Airborne cameras are taking pictures of individual houses across the U.S. Insurance companies use the photos to inspect buildings after extreme weather, from hurricanes to hailstorms. But they also use them to determine which homes are too risky to insure. A bill in California—a state…
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 Insurance Bill – The Fight Over Public Adjuster Fees and Homeowner Payouts
California Insurance Bill – The Fight Over Public Adjuster Fees and Homeowner Payouts

What’s the real cost of AB 597? The proposed California bill is stirring up heated debates. Depending on who you ask, it’s either a game-changer or a disaster waiting to happen. On the surface, it’s all about “transparency” and reining in shady contracts. But dig…
A bad bill to rein in insurance adjusters? Proposed state law draws criticism
A bad bill to rein in insurance adjusters? Proposed state law draws criticism

After the devastating January firestorms left thousands of homeowners to grapple with their insurers over complicated claims for smoke damage and burned-down houses, many turned to public adjusters for help. The state-licensed professionals play a vital role in assisting policyholders in preparing property claims and…
Proposed California Ballot Initiative Seeks to Repeal Prop. 103
Proposed California Ballot Initiative Seeks to Repeal Prop. 103

A proposed ballot measure could significantly alter California’s property insurance regulations by repealing Proposition 103, a law passed in 1988 that governs home, auto, and other property and casualty insurance. Background on Proposition 103 Under Prop. 103, insurance companies must obtain approval from the state’s…
Long-shot ballot initiative could have huge effect on California insurance
Long-shot ballot initiative could have huge effect on California insurance

A proposed ballot initiative would drastically change the way property insurance is regulated in California by repealing a law voters passed almost four decades ago. Proposition 103 has regulated home, auto and other types of property and casualty insurance in the state since 1988. It…
Florida Peninsula Insurance announces rate reduction request that will benefit ‘about 80,000 policyholders’
Florida Peninsula Insurance announces rate reduction request that will benefit ‘about 80,000 policyholders’

Florida Peninsula Insurance is seeking a rate reduction of 8.4% on homeowners policies and 12% on condo policies, according to an announcement from the Boca Raton-based company. “Given that everything seems to be going up right now, the cost of living, food, housing and everything…