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…
Insurance – ‘Surface waters’ – Roof
Insurance – ‘Surface waters’ – Roof

Where the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has certified a question asking whether rainwater that landed on the roof of a hospital and subsequently inundated the interior of the building constituted “surface waters” under Massachusetts law, the definition of “surface waters” does not include…
Save the Date! District 1 Town Hall
Save the Date! District 1 Town Hall

Supervisor Heidi Hall will be hosting a District 1 Town Hall on Tuesday, Aug, 13 from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Nevada City Council Chambers, 317  Broad St. The meeting will feature Amy Bach of United Policyholders, a nationally recognized fire insurance expert and advocate. Topics…
Emergency preparedness focus of Poway Picnic with the Chief
Emergency preparedness focus of Poway Picnic with the Chief

Wildfire and emergency preparedness tips will be shared at free Picnic with the Chief event set for July 17 in Poway A Picnic with the Chief event is set for 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 17 in Poway to help community residents prepare for an emergency…
Home insurance canceled in Oakland? Here’s what to do
Home insurance canceled in Oakland? Here’s what to do

Amy Bach of United Policyholders shares tips for homeowners who’ve received non-renewals and insight into the future of insurance rates in California. If you own a house in the Oakland hills, you’ve probably gotten one already or are dreading the day it will arrive in…
5 Signs Your Home Insurance May Go Up This Summer
5 Signs Your Home Insurance May Go Up This Summer

After watching Hurricane Beryl ravage Texas and parts of the Midwest this summer, you might wonder if insurance companies will be hiking home insurance rates the way they sometimes do after a natural disaster of this proportion. Following Hurricane Katrina, insurance premiums rose by 30%,…
Preparing for California’s natural disasters
Preparing for California’s natural disasters

Californians face a wide range of natural disasters every year, including earthquakes, wildfires, landslides and floods. In June, half a dozen earthquakes with a magnitude over 2.5 hit parts of Southern California in just one week. Around the state, at least six wildfires have burned…
Insurance Companies Are Using Drones To Monitor Homes — 4 Things They’re Looking For That Could End Up Costing You
Insurance Companies Are Using Drones To Monitor Homes — 4 Things They’re Looking For That Could End Up Costing You

If you’re a homeowner and notice a drone hovering around your house, don’t assume it’s one of the neighbors playing with a new toy. It could be your homeowners insurance company doing a little spying to see if your house and property meet all the…
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,…
5 questions with Tahoe Truckee Community Organizations Active in Disaster
5 questions with Tahoe Truckee Community Organizations Active in Disaster

Even this week, with the Royal Fire, we’ve seen an example of the risk Tahoe faces when it comes to disasters. Nonprofits and community-based organizations are a key partner to the county when disaster strikes, often supporting vulnerable residents with disabilities or other challenges. This…