Garden Grove Evacuation Highlights Insurance Claim Challenges Following Chemical Tank Emergency
Garden Grove Evacuation Highlights Insurance Claim Challenges Following Chemical Tank Emergency

Residents evacuated during last month’s chemical tank crisis in Garden Grove, California, are reporting difficulties recovering evacuation-related expenses, with some insurance claims denied despite mandatory evacuation orders. On May 22, authorities ordered evacuations in parts of Orange County after firefighters warned that a tank containing…
You probably undervalue your stuff. Proper documentation could save you money.
You probably undervalue your stuff. Proper documentation could save you money.

It’s Oklahoma. Severe weather is a given. But after those storms, a staggering number of homeowners find out too late they are underinsured — leaving thousands of dollars on the table because they forgot to account for what’s hidden in their drawers and closets. Around…
Chase Bank withheld $100K from Florida couple for an entire year, forcing them to take $250K from their 401(k). Now they owe the IRS tens of thousands
Chase Bank withheld $100K from Florida couple for an entire year, forcing them to take $250K from their 401(k). Now they owe the IRS tens of thousands

Chris and Analia DeHayes lost their Ruskin, Florida home to flooding during Hurricane Helene two years ago. What followed was a nightmare that had nothing to do with the storm, but everything to do with their bank. The couple had flood insurance through FEMA’s National…
Evacuees face hurdles with insurance claims following Garden Grove chemical tank crisis
Evacuees face hurdles with insurance claims following Garden Grove chemical tank crisis

Residents forced to evacuate parts of Orange County last month after a chemical tank crisis in Garden Grove say they are struggling to recover out-of-pocket costs, with some insurance claims quickly denied. A fund created to support about 50,000 affected residents has stopped accepting applications…
Inside California’s Home Insurance Squeeze: Higher Bills, Fewer Choices
Inside California’s Home Insurance Squeeze: Higher Bills, Fewer Choices

After the LA fires, a $1 billion bill landed on providers and their customers; costs jumped 84% over 6 years, Stanford data shows. In A Nutshell Average monthly home insurance premiums for California single-family homes rose 84% between 2020 and 2026 (45% after inflation), about…
Is Your Home Underinsured? Here’s How to Tell.
Is Your Home Underinsured? Here’s How to Tell.

Your house isn’t just a place to hang your hat — it’s also one of your most valuable financial assets. That’s why homeowners without enough insurance can face financial ruin when disaster strikes and they find themselves suddenly homeless and unable to rebuild. The problem…
Is Climate Disaster Insurance a Worsening Disaster?
Is Climate Disaster Insurance a Worsening Disaster?

When Hurricane Helene inundated and wiped out large swaths of North Carolina and Tennessee in 2024, in some counties fewer than 2% of residents had flood insurance. Today, many still have not recovered. Climate disasters are getting worse. It’s not just floods. The 2018 Camp…
California Homeowners Face New Wildfire Deductibles
California Homeowners Face New Wildfire Deductibles

Some California homeowners are now facing new wildfire deductibles in their insurance policies, causing concern among residents and officials. Attorney Shant Karnikian, who represents Los Angeles residents affected by last year’s fires, discovered a $621,000 wildfire deductible in a client’s AIG insurance policy. This is…
Some California homeowners now face ‘wildfire deductibles.’ Why that’s a problem.
Some California homeowners now face ‘wildfire deductibles.’ Why that’s a problem.

After a Washington Post inquiry, Michael Soller, deputy commissioner of communications for the California Department of Insurance, indicated Commissioner Ricardo Lara will launch a review of these insurance policies. Read more.
Homeowners face crushing insurance cost increases
Homeowners face crushing insurance cost increases

Homeowners insurance premiums climbed 24% nationwide between 2021 and 2024, with the steepest increases hitting inland states like Utah and Illinois rather than the hurricane-prone coasts. Communities that were once considered low risk for insurance pricing are now facing double-digit rate increases. Higher construction costs…
Homeowners face crushing insurance cost increases
Homeowners face crushing insurance cost increases

Homeowners insurance premiums climbed 24% nationwide between 2021 and 2024, with the steepest increases hitting inland states like Utah and Illinois rather than the hurricane-prone coasts. Communities that were once considered low risk for insurance pricing are now facing double-digit rate increases. Higher construction costs…
Hoʻōla LTRG, MDS and partners celebrate Valerie Hoʻopai and ʻohana’s return home to Lahaina
Hoʻōla LTRG, MDS and partners celebrate Valerie Hoʻopai and ʻohana’s return home to Lahaina

More than 150 project partners, friends, family and community supporters gathered Friday for a home dedication and blessing honoring Valerie Hoʻopai and her ʻohana in Lahaina. The blessing marked a meaningful milestone in the Hoʻopai ʻohana’s recovery journey, as they returned to a newly rebuilt…
Battle over smoke-damaged homes from LA County wildfires could reshape fire insurance
Battle over smoke-damaged homes from LA County wildfires could reshape fire insurance

The outcome could have ramifications nationwide and either open the door to billions in additional claims or slam the door shut for homeowners. Read more.
Firewise leaders push for regional emergency preparedness
Firewise leaders push for regional emergency preparedness

More than 150 wildfire preparedness leaders, residents and fire safety professionals from across Southern California gathered in Calabasas May 9 for a regional Firewise Leader workshop focused on helping neighborhoods better prepare for increasingly severe wildfire seasons. The gathering at the Calabasas Community Center invited…
Oklahoma “Joan of Arc” Waged Prescient State Farm Battle
Oklahoma “Joan of Arc” Waged Prescient State Farm Battle

As anxious policyholders await a pivotal Oklahoma Supreme Court decision in a bad-faith case involving the now-infamous State Farm documents, additional revealing documents, compiled decades ago by a State Farm whistleblower with Oklahoma roots, have surfaced at the Oklahoma City office of attorney Charles Weddle.…
For the 11th straight year, Texas is the hail damage capital of the US
For the 11th straight year, Texas is the hail damage capital of the US

DALLAS — Sometimes, winning can feel a lot like losing. For the 11th year in a row, Texas is the hail capital of the U.S. It wasn’t even close. According to the Insurance Information Institute, there were 902 hail events here with major damage in…
State launches ‘Disaster Recovery Tool,’ more Health Headlines
State launches ‘Disaster Recovery Tool,’ more Health Headlines

A new tool was launched this month to assist Coloradans facing natural disasters: the Colorado Disaster Recovery Navigation Tool. The resource was established under the Governor’s Office of Climate Preparedness and Disaster Recovery, which, a press release from the office said, is one of its…
Insurance commissioner candidates float bigger California role
Insurance commissioner candidates float bigger California role

A few of the candidates vying to be California’s next insurance commissioner want to address the insurance crisis by having the state take a bigger financial role. Some of the problems they’re trying to solve include: Not all insurance companies will write new policies in…