County’s Office of Recovery announces partnership with Kako’o Maui at West Maui center
County’s Office of Recovery announces partnership with Kako’o Maui at West Maui center

The County of Maui’s Office of Recovery and the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA) are proud to announce a partnership that brings CNHA’s Kākoʻo Maui Resource Center to the Office of Recovery-West Maui at Lahaina Gateway. Under the partnership, which began earlier this week,…
State officials scramble as insurance companies abandon at-risk homeowners: ‘It’s the perfect storm’
State officials scramble as insurance companies abandon at-risk homeowners: ‘It’s the perfect storm’

“We just do not have companies willing to write business in Louisiana right now, and you can’t blame them.” Facing down a natural disaster is never ideal, but things are about to get even worse for Americans who are losing home insurance primarily as a…
As wildfire risks intensify, California insurance rates keep rising
As wildfire risks intensify, California insurance rates keep rising

Allstate will increase rates by an average of 34.1 percent as part of the state’s deal with the industry to expand coverage to homeowners in risky areas. California insurance officials have approved Allstate’s request to raise insurance rates for homeowners by an average of about…
Liberty Mutual Pulls Fire Insurance From 17,000 Customers in California
Liberty Mutual Pulls Fire Insurance From 17,000 Customers in California

In a significant and alarming development, Liberty Mutual Fire Insurance has announced that it will not renew fire insurance policies for approximately 17,000 customers in California. This move adds to a growing trend of insurance companies scaling back or altogether abandoning the state’s market, leaving…
Allstate gets OK to raise California home insurance rates by average of 34%
Allstate gets OK to raise California home insurance rates by average of 34%

Home insurance is about to get a whole lot more expensive for a lot of people in California. California’s Department of Insurance recently approved Allstate’s request for the largest rate increase the state has seen in the past three years. Homeowners’ insurance will go up…
California weighs sweeping reforms in insurance regulations, amid mounting wildfire risk
California weighs sweeping reforms in insurance regulations, amid mounting wildfire risk

The raging wildfires that have become a mainstay in certain California communities are not only devastating family dwellings — they are also impeding Californians from procuring the insurance necessary to protect these homes in the future. Aiming to both quell soaring prices and bring back…
The pros and cons of self-insurance for homeowners
The pros and cons of self-insurance for homeowners

“What do you think about going without homeowners insurance?” It was a question I had been asked before. Tim is a past client who I helped buy a home in Shingle Springs several years ago. He told me when he first purchased the home State…
District 1 Town Hall Offers Advice on Navigating Fire Insurance Crisis
District 1 Town Hall Offers Advice on Navigating Fire Insurance Crisis

If you are dropped from your fire insurance, ask questions and find out why, a national consumer advocate advised attendees at the District 1 Town Hall in Nevada City Tuesday. Amy Bach, co-founder of United Policyholders, also advised finding out your risk score (similar to…
Insurance coverage law certification proposal pitched
Insurance coverage law certification proposal pitched

‘It’s a very nuanced area of the law that requires continuous work, continuous study’ Certification logoTampa insurance lawyer Debbie Crockett has good news for Florida consumers and colleagues who believe their years of experience in a complex practice area sets them apart. On August 12,…
Keep insurers’ fingers out of Maui wildfire survivors’ pockets
Keep insurers’ fingers out of Maui wildfire survivors’ pockets

For Maui wildfire survivors, the global settlement of lawsuits provides a degree of certainty and closure. With lawsuits behind them, survivors can begin the long process of rebuilding and recovering without the specter of long legal battles. Under the proposed settlement, many wildfire survivors reached…
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.
Home damaged by Tropical Storm Debby? Here are helpful tips for claiming insurance payout
Home damaged by Tropical Storm Debby? Here are helpful tips for claiming insurance payout

It’s a long way from the paths of destruction carved out by such historic weather events as Superstorm Sandy and Hurricane Katrina, but Tropical Storm Debby, which cut through central Pennsylvania this past weekend, left a path of destruction with plenty of damaged roofs and…
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…
Assistance centers opening for Park Fire victims
Assistance centers opening for Park Fire victims

Tehama County, in conjunction with local, state, and federal agencies and non-governmental organizations, will host a local assistance center for individuals, families and businesses affected by the Park Fire. The event will be held inside the Red Bluff Community Center, 1500 S. Jackson St. According…
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.…