Climate damage claims impacting mortgages and insurance consumers
Climate damage claims impacting mortgages and insurance consumers

The application of AI to weather disaster coverage and claims is creating problems for mortgage lenders, not just claimants, according to policyholder advocates who addressed the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) at its summer conference August 12. Read more.
District 1 Town Hall meeting to feature insurance consumer advocate Amy Bach
District 1 Town Hall meeting to feature insurance consumer advocate Amy Bach

Supervisor Heidi Hall is hosting a town hall meeting this evening at the Nevada City Council Chambers, featuring nationally recognized insurance consumer advocate Amy Bach, Executive Director and founder of United Policyholders. The meeting can be viewed live online from our YouTube channel or you…
The Hidden Risk: How Mold Coverage Gaps Leave Homeowners Vulnerable
The Hidden Risk: How Mold Coverage Gaps Leave Homeowners Vulnerable

As a journalist with over 20 years of experience in the legal and insurance sectors, I’ve seen firsthand how the complexities of insurance coverage can catch homeowners off guard. One of the most surprising gaps in coverage involves mold—a problem that is becoming increasingly prevalent…
California implements plan to speed up reviews of insurance price increases backed by Newsom
California implements plan to speed up reviews of insurance price increases backed by Newsom

Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara bypassed the Legislature on Friday to implement a plan to speed up California’s review of price increases for home and automobile coverage. The proposal, which stalled for months after it was hastily championed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, is meant to soothe…
Court rules insurance doesn’t cover restaurant’s COVID-related business losses
Court rules insurance doesn’t cover restaurant’s COVID-related business losses

An insurance policy covering losses caused by viruses carried by water or windstorms doesn’t apply to a San Francisco restaurant’s COVID shutdown, the state Supreme Court ruled Thursday. The court had ruled unanimously in May that businesses forced to close their doors or cancel events…
Santa Rosa fire to host wildfire preparedness resource fair
Santa Rosa fire to host wildfire preparedness resource fair

The fair is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Finley Park Community Center. The Santa Rosa Fire Department and other fire experts will provide free tools and advice for wildfire preparation this weekend during a resource fair. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.…
Home insurance canceled in Berkeley? Here’s what to do
Home insurance canceled in Berkeley? Here’s what to do

If you own a house in the Berkeley Hills, you’ve probably gotten one already or are dreading the day it will arrive in your mail: a notice that your home insurance provider will not renew your policy. Insurers are increasingly pulling away from writing policies…
Exclusive: Can California’s FAIR Plan handle a huge wildfire? Here’s what insurer’s president says
Exclusive: Can California’s FAIR Plan handle a huge wildfire? Here’s what insurer’s president says

How much money does California’s FAIR Plan have available to pay insurance claims if a huge wildfire were to cause billions of dollars in damage to homes and businesses? In an exclusive interview with the Chronicle, FAIR Plan President Victoria Roach for the first time…
Allstate in midst of requesting 34% insurance rate hike
Allstate in midst of requesting 34% insurance rate hike

Allstate has asked the state to approve an average 34.1% homeowners insurance rate hike for this year, the Department of Insurance confirmed Thursday. The rate hike request, filed in April 2023, was initially for 39.6%. But Consumer Watchdog, a Santa Monica-based consumer advocacy group, petitioned…
A “Flood” of Uncertainty; Massachusetts SJC Finds Policy Term Ambiguous
A “Flood” of Uncertainty; Massachusetts SJC Finds Policy Term Ambiguous

The highest court in Massachusetts recently held that term “Flood” and the associated phrase “surface waters,” as used in two all-risk insurance policies, is ambiguous in the context of water that accumulated on a parapet roof and rooftop courtyard, thereby negating the insurers’ attempt to…
Is this the solution to California’s soaring insurance price due to wildfire risk?
Is this the solution to California’s soaring insurance price due to wildfire risk?

In the past several years, homeowners across the state have been either burdened with extremely high insurance premiums or have struggled to find coverage at all. Wildfires have sent California’s homeowners insurance market into crisis and the situation is only getting worse. So far, 2024…
Home insurance experts say changes coming for California’s insurance crisis — with key tips for consumers
Home insurance experts say changes coming for California’s insurance crisis — with key tips for consumers

LOS ANGELES, July 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Important regulatory updates, coming by end of year, plan to provide homeowners insurance options to consumers, according to a panel discussion this week hosted by the Center for California Real Estate. Panelists offered important tips on specific actions…
Home insurance experts say changes coming for California’s insurance crisis — with key tips for consumers
Home insurance experts say changes coming for California’s insurance crisis — with key tips for consumers

Important regulatory updates, coming by end of year, plan to provide homeowners insurance options to consumers, according to a panel discussion this week hosted by the Center for California Real Estate. Panelists offered important tips on specific actions to take now to help better protect…
Is this the solution to California’s soaring insurance price due to wildfire risk?
Is this the solution to California’s soaring insurance price due to wildfire risk?

In the past several years, homeowners across the state have been either burdened with extremely high insurance premiums or have struggled to find coverage at all. Wildfires have sent California’s homeowners insurance market into crisis and the situation is only getting worse. So far, 2024…
California’s last-resort fire insurance could get big commercial coverage boost, home ‘hardening’ discount
California’s last-resort fire insurance could get big commercial coverage boost, home ‘hardening’ discount

Giving real estate agents a heads up two days before, California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara announced Friday more upgrades to the state’s insurer of last resort to address significant ongoing coverage challenges for owners of homes and businesses in fire-risk areas. Read more.
Is this the solution to California’s soaring insurance prices due to wildfire risk?
Is this the solution to California’s soaring insurance prices due to wildfire risk?

In the past several years, homeowners across the state have been either burdened with extremely high insurance premiums or have struggled to find coverage at all. Wildfires have sent California’s homeowners insurance market into crisis and the situation is only getting worse. So far, 2024…
Policyholder Attys Cheer Justices’ Ruling On ‘Surface Waters’
Policyholder Attys Cheer Justices’ Ruling On ‘Surface Waters’

Like a bridge over troubled water, Massachusetts’ highest court laid down a rejection of the term “surface waters,” finding insurers couldn’t rely on the phrase to limit coverage to a storm-damaged hospital… Read more.
California insurance commissioner has plan for home market “crisis”
California insurance commissioner has plan for home market “crisis”

Ricardo Lara tells agents reform is coming with “relief” for buyers seeking coverage California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara did not mince words when speaking at a Realtor event this week on the difficulties facing homeowners in the wake of major pullbacks by State Farm, Allstate…