Aerial photos are leading to insurance non-renewals
Aerial photos are leading to insurance non-renewals

InsurTech may not be a buzz word at dinner parties, but it sure is in consumer advocate circles. Turns out, “disruptive” is not such a good thing for property owners and home values, especially with climate change in the mix. Today, insurance companies are using…
California insurers must give discounts for wildfire mitigation. Have homeowners benefited?
California insurers must give discounts for wildfire mitigation. Have homeowners benefited?

In 2022, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara announced he would force companies to offer discounts to people who take specific steps to protect their homes from wildfires. It was part of an effort, he said at the time, to “reward the hard work that California consumers…
Insurers won’t renew some homes, citing risk of earthquake-induced fires. This map shows where
Insurers won’t renew some homes, citing risk of earthquake-induced fires. This map shows where

The magnitude 7.9 earthquake that struck San Francisco on April 18, 1906, toppled buildings, brought down power lines and fractured water mains. The front page of the Chronicle the next day read “San Francisco in ruins.” But 80% of the property damage, according to a…
California insurers must give discounts for wildfire mitigation. Have homeowners benefited?
California insurers must give discounts for wildfire mitigation. Have homeowners benefited?

The discounts are for people who take actions to protect their homes and properties from wildfires. Read More.
City Wildfire and Disaster Insurance Online Town Hall
City Wildfire and Disaster Insurance Online Town Hall

California’s insurance commissioner, local elected leaders provide information on property insurance State and local public agency representatives held an online Wildfire and Disaster Insurance town hall workshop for residents on April 4 to address homeowners insurance and how they can navigate resources to get coverage…
State Farm not renewing 30K homeowners insurances in CA, including in high fire risk areas
State Farm not renewing 30K homeowners insurances in CA, including in high fire risk areas

The state’s largest home insurer says a new wave of non-renewals is about to hit parts of the Bay Area hard, including wildfire-devastated zip codes in the North Bay. “It’s frustrating because we did everything we were asked to do and beyond and it cost…
California regulator’s ‘forced marriage’ with insurers
California regulator’s ‘forced marriage’ with insurers

California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara is trying to get property insurers to remain in the state despite a spate of wildfires. In Sacramento, Ricardo Lara is the state’s insurance commissioner who hasn’t yet stopped an exodus of property insurers fleeing increased costs fueled by climate…
LA to consider prohibiting landlords from asking about criminal history
LA to consider prohibiting landlords from asking about criminal history

The Los Angeles City Council voted Tuesday to consider prohibiting landlords from inquiring about prospective tenants’ criminal history. Council members voted 11-0, with no discussion, to reactivate a motion seeking to establish a so-called “fair chance” housing ordinance. Council President Paul Krekorian and Councilman Curren…
Assemblymember Irwin to Host Wildfire & Disaster Insurance Online Town Hall
Assemblymember Irwin to Host Wildfire & Disaster Insurance Online Town Hall

The office of Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin—who represents AD 42, which includes Pacific Palisades—will host a Wildfire & Disaster Insurance Online Town Hall on Thursday, April 4, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Palisadians who are interested in attending can register at bit.ly/04042024. The town hall is…
Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin Hosts Wildfire Insurance Town Hall
Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin Hosts Wildfire Insurance Town Hall

Join Experts to Discuss Wildfire Response, Insurance Challenges Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, representing California’s 42nd district, is set to host an online town hall on wildfire and disaster insurance. The event will feature a panel of experts from various regions and aim to address the challenges…
United Policyholders helps Paradise residents with home insurance in wildfire-prone areas
United Policyholders helps Paradise residents with home insurance in wildfire-prone areas

A nonprofit organization focusing on fair insurance practices, disaster preparedness and recovery held a meeting in Paradise to educate residents about the home insurance crisis in wildfire-prone areas. Non-renewals have become more common, with premiums doubling and tripling, forcing many to rely on the California…
Are California homeowners getting any insurance breaks for beefing up their property to protect against wildfires?
Are California homeowners getting any insurance breaks for beefing up their property to protect against wildfires?

Officials can’t say how many people qualified for wildfire safety credits The CZU Lightning Complex wildfire that burned through the Santa Cruz Mountains in late summer 2020 was a wakeup call for Frank Bäuerle. He wasted no time fireproofing his Ben Lomond home and neighborhood,…
Essential Know-How For Wildfire Insurance Policyholders
Essential Know-How For Wildfire Insurance Policyholders

The podcast episode features Amy Bach, the executive director of United Policyholders, an insurance consumer advocacy group. The host introduces Amy as an advocate for policyholders and discusses her background as an attorney. Amy shares her insights on insurance claims and the importance of policyholders…
California’s home insurance crisis, explained
California’s home insurance crisis, explained

Home buying for the nation is about to get more interesting, as the National Association of Realtors agrees to a seismic settlement that will abolish the 6% commission. In California, there is a home insurance crisis. The big three insurers — Farmers, Allstate and State…
Struggle for home insurance: Santa Rosa couple faces almost 200 rejections after cancellation
Struggle for home insurance: Santa Rosa couple faces almost 200 rejections after cancellation

The Melendys’ experience isn’t new, but it is part of an increasingly dire trend in California. Read more.
What to do if your California homeowners insurance company drops you
What to do if your California homeowners insurance company drops you

As more and more insurance companies quit doing business in California, many local residents are facing sky-high premiums or even the daunting task of finding new home insurance. Here’s some advice from experts on getting property insurance and keeping costs down. Organizations like United Policyholders…
California oversight agency begins home insurance review
California oversight agency begins home insurance review

The Little Hoover Commission, a state oversight agency, is studying California’s home insurance issues, will report to Newsom, legislators. Read more.
California homeowners struggle amid state’s insurance market crisis
California homeowners struggle amid state’s insurance market crisis

People across California continue to struggle as many are being told that their homeowners insurance policies will not be renewed. A number of providers are now telling homeowners they live in high-risk areas that are too fire prone or “too densely populated.” San Francisco is…