Insuring your home has never been harder. Here’s how to do it.
Insuring your home has never been harder. Here’s how to do it.

Christina Temple moved to Truckee, California, to buy her first home. The small mountain town, a short drive from Lake Tahoe, offered the former preschool teacher and her husband, a carpenter, a shot at becoming middle class by escaping crushing housing costs near Santa Cruz,…
Policyholders Win a Covid Case! North Carolina Supreme Court Rules Government Closure Order Can Result In “Direct Physical Damage”
Policyholders Win a Covid Case! North Carolina Supreme Court Rules Government Closure Order Can Result In “Direct Physical Damage”

I have a vision of Amy Bach, the Executive Director of United Policyholders, jumping for joy as she read the North Carolina Supreme Court opinion, which the insurance industry must think of as a Friday the 13th ruling. The court noted its conclusion early in the opinion: Because…
NC Justices Topple Insurer Victory In COVID Coverage Battle
NC Justices Topple Insurer Victory In COVID Coverage Battle

The North Carolina Supreme Court handed policyholders a rare win Friday… Read more
California issues landmark rules to improve home insurance market
California issues landmark rules to improve home insurance market

Landmark regulations intended to encourage insurers to write more policies in risky wildfire neighborhoods through the use of complex computer models were released Friday by the state. Under new rules intended to stabilize California’s troubled home insurance market, insurers will be able to set rates…
In a California “first,” Commissioner Lara announces enforcement of regulation to expand insurance coverage across state
In a California “first,” Commissioner Lara announces enforcement of regulation to expand insurance coverage across state

For Release: December 13, 2024 Media Calls Only: 916-492-3566 Email Inquiries: cdipress@insurance.ca.gov In a California “first,” Commissioner Lara announces enforcement of regulation to expand insurance coverage across state Homeowners and businesses will see greater availability, market stability, and recognition for wildfire safety through use of…
California’s Evolving Insurance Market: Is Relief on the Horizon?
California’s Evolving Insurance Market: Is Relief on the Horizon?

California’s home insurance market has been under immense pressure in recent years, leaving homeowners dealing with uncertainty about their coverage. Farmers Insurance, the state’s second-largest home insurer, recently announced a significant decision to expand the number of policies it writes each month. While it marks…
Farmers Insurance says they’ll write more policies as homeowners’ market improves
Farmers Insurance says they’ll write more policies as homeowners’ market improves

Farmers is California’s second-largest home insurer and the largest business insurer. It now says California’s “improved insurance marketplace” allows it to expand the number of policies it writes each month. But, does that mean California’s insurance drought is ending? With a total 8.4 million homes…
Farmers Insurance says it will add more policies in California
Farmers Insurance says it will add more policies in California

In a surprise announcement, California’s second-largest insurance provider, Farmers Insurance, says it is going to add more policies for property owners. Starting Saturday, Farmers told NBC Bay Area it will increase the number of new home insurance policies it accepts each month in California from…
High insurance and non-renewals hit hard in Mendocino County
High insurance and non-renewals hit hard in Mendocino County

Everyone knows that California, like many other states, is in the midst of an insurance crisis. The pressing questions are: What can property owners do to bring costs down, and is there help on the horizon? On Nov. 19, the eve of the season’s first…
What’s next in California’s insurance crisis? Commissioner Lara lays out plan, addresses criticism
What’s next in California’s insurance crisis? Commissioner Lara lays out plan, addresses criticism

Significant questions are being raised about promises made by California’s Insurance Commissioner alleging insurers will be expanding coverage in fire-prone areas by 85%. A critical issue that affects millions of policyholders across the state as insurers drop. 7 On Your Side investigates the promises Commissioner…
California homeowner made costly upgrades to satisfy his insurer. He still got dropped
California homeowner made costly upgrades to satisfy his insurer. He still got dropped

Sonoma County homeowner Ed Wong found himself in a rare situation: He knew exactly what he needed to do to avoid getting dropped by his insurer. The company had even given him a list. On it were three mandatory upgrades, for gas, plumbing and security…
Is it possible to get a break in an insurance crisis?
Is it possible to get a break in an insurance crisis?

Everyone knows that California, like many other states, is in the midst of an insurance crisis. The pressing questions are: what can property owners do to bring costs down; and is there help on the horizon? On the eve of the season’s first atmospheric river,…
Panel to tackle state fire insurance crisis Dec. 8
Panel to tackle state fire insurance crisis Dec. 8

California’s insurance crisis and what can be done about it is the focus of a panel discussion set for Sunday, Dec. 8, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Ojai Retreat & Inn, 160 Besant Road. The wildfire insurance coverage panel, organized by the Ojai…
‘Insurance Coverage Law’ certification takes another step forward
‘Insurance Coverage Law’ certification takes another step forward

The Board of Legal Specialization and Education is poised to grant final approval of a proposed new “Insurance Coverage Law” board certification program, after sponsors agreed to make final revisions. “The BLSE approved the new certification area in concept, but the standards need additional work…
Officials offer tips to Portola Valley residents struggling to maintain home insurance
Officials offer tips to Portola Valley residents struggling to maintain home insurance

Portola Valley hosted an event to inform local residents about home insurance options and policies, an important topic for a community at risk for wildfires. On Nov. 11, over 60 residents joined a presentation and Q&A with the California Department of Insurance and United Policyholders,…
THE BERKELEY ACTIVISTS’ CALENDAR, November 10-17
THE BERKELEY ACTIVISTS’ CALENDAR, November 10-17

Worth Noting: Monday, November 11, 2024 is the Veteran’s Day Holiday. The agenda for the November 19, 2024 City Council meeting is available for comment. Check City website for meetings posted on short notice https://berkeleyca.gov Go to meetings are: City Council on Tuesday, the Parks…
‘Board Certified’ Could Soon Be an Advertising Thing for Florida Insurance Lawyers
‘Board Certified’ Could Soon Be an Advertising Thing for Florida Insurance Lawyers

By this time next year, plaintiffs lawyers, who have frequently been held up as thorns in the side of the Florida property insurance industry for their sometimes-aggressive pursuit of policyholder claims litigation, could have a stamp of credibility to brandish in advertisements: “board certified in…
Texas Wind Insurer’s Rate Denial Spurs Funding Concerns
Texas Wind Insurer’s Rate Denial Spurs Funding Concerns

The Texas insurance commissioner’s recent decision to deny a proposed 10% rate increase for the state’s windstorm insurer of last resort has been applauded by some for prioritizing affordable coverage for… Read more