The cost of fire insurance across California is rising at a frightening pace if you can get it at all
The cost of fire insurance across California is rising at a frightening pace if you can get it at all

Homeowners are finding their insurance premiums outpacing their incomes, if they can find insurance at all. Who is responsible for the crisis? AUBURN, Calif. — A crisis has been building in the foothills of the Sierra and other fire-prone communities in California. It’s related to…
State addresses insurance issues
State addresses insurance issues

Homeowners who have faced difficulty renewing home insurance policies can breathe a little easier for now. On Dec. 5, state insurance commissioner Ricardo Lara issued a mandatory one year moratorium on insurance companies not renewing policyholders, helping at least 800,000 homes in wildfire disaster areas…
Do you know your home’s wildfire risk score? Your insurance company does
Do you know your home’s wildfire risk score? Your insurance company does

Do you know your wildfire risk score? Most people know they have credit scores that help determine whether they get a loan and what their interest rate will be. They probably don’t know that if they live in the West, they have a wildfire risk…
State bans insurers from dropping policies in fire areas
State bans insurers from dropping policies in fire areas

Helping at least 800,000 homes in wildfire disaster areas in Northern and Southern California, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara issued a mandatory one-year moratorium on insurance companies non-renewing policyholders Thursday. The action is the result of Senate Bill 824 in order to give temporary relief from…
California stops insurance companies from dropping coverage due to wildfires — for now
California stops insurance companies from dropping coverage due to wildfires — for now

Ricardo Lara also called on companies to voluntarily stop sending non-renewal notices in other regions With an increasing number of California homeowners complaining about insurance companies dropping their fire coverage, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara on Thursday issued a moratorium on non-renewals in some areas, demanding…
Wildfire insurance crisis leads commissioner to call for first-ever statewide non-renewal moratorium
Wildfire insurance crisis leads commissioner to call for first-ever statewide non-renewal moratorium

Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara on Thursday issued a mandatory one-year moratorium on insurance companies non-renewing policyholders — helping at least 800,000 homes in wildfire disaster areas in Northern and Southern California, a news release states, but Nevada County residents will not be impacted by the…
California to beef up backstop for those losing homeowners’ insurance in wildfire-prone areas
California to beef up backstop for those losing homeowners’ insurance in wildfire-prone areas

California regulators announced on Thursday new protections aimed at helping the growing number of people living in wildfire-prone areas who cannot find adequate homeowner’s insurance. Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara said that starting early next year his agency will significantly expand a state-created program that acts…
Wildfires Likely to Boost California Surplus Lines Homeowners Share; FAIR Plan Expansion Questioned
Wildfires Likely to Boost California Surplus Lines Homeowners Share; FAIR Plan Expansion Questioned

Wildfires Likely to Boost California Surplus Lines Homeowners Share; FAIR Plan Expansion Questioned Premium volume from homeowners polices written by California’s surplus lines industry, although still small, has doubled over the past four years, seemingly pushed by an increase in wildfires in the state. Some…
Insurance Commissioner to Order Increased FAIR Plan Coverage Options
Insurance Commissioner to Order Increased FAIR Plan Coverage Options

Sacramento, CA…As wildfire risk drives more non-renewals of homeowner insurance across the state, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara is taking action to help homeowners find adequate coverage to protect their homes by ordering the FAIR Plan to offer a comprehensive policy in addition to its current…
Kincade fire survivors gather for updates, resources at Alexander Valley Community Center
Kincade fire survivors gather for updates, resources at Alexander Valley Community Center

When the more than 200 Kincade fire survivors who gathered Saturday morning at the Alexander Valley Community Center in Geyserville heard a firefighter introduce himself, they filled the hall with applause. More than half of them had structures burned in the fire. Some lost entire…
California to expand last-resort fire insurance plan for homeowners
California to expand last-resort fire insurance plan for homeowners

With more destructive wildfires burning California, insurance companies are increasingly declining coverage to homeowners As more companies refuse to provide fire insurance to homeowners in a state plagued by increasingly destructive blazes, California’s insurance commissioner said Thursday that a plan once meant to be a…
California to overhaul insurance plan after wildfires
California to overhaul insurance plan after wildfires

SACRAMENTO, Calif. AP) — Californians who lost their home insurance because of the threat of wildfires will be able to buy comprehensive policies next year through a state-mandated plan under an order issued Thursday by the state insurance commissioner. As wildfires threaten the state, insurance…
‘Pioneers’ choose to rebuild against the fire odds in Butte County
‘Pioneers’ choose to rebuild against the fire odds in Butte County

PARADISE — People submit applications for rebuilding permits to the town of Paradise and Butte County every day. On Nov. 1, it was Wade and Courtney Petersen’s turn. “It’s just a really exciting moment,” she said as she filled out the paperwork in town hall.…
There’s a quake every three minutes in California – here’s why we still don’t buy quake insurance
There’s a quake every three minutes in California – here’s why we still don’t buy quake insurance

ORINDA, Calif. KGO) — Scientists tell us earthquakes strike every three minutes in California — though most of them are so weak we can’t feel them, enough are so big we can’t forget them. So, does living through a quake drive us to buy earthquake…
Homeowner, renters’ insurance likely won’t cover PG&E power outage losses
Homeowner, renters’ insurance likely won’t cover PG&E power outage losses

SAN FRANCISCO KGO) — Although people had a couple of days to plan for the power shutoffs, losses were inevitable. So who’s responsible to pay for that? Unfortunately, it’s the PG&E customers who are stuck with the bill. What makes this situation different than any…
On 2nd anniversary of Tubbs Fire, only 10% of homes are rebuilt
On 2nd anniversary of Tubbs Fire, only 10% of homes are rebuilt

SANTA ROSA, Calif. KTVU) – With only bout 10% of Santa Rosa homes rebuilt from the 2017 Tubbs fire, the second anniversary of the fire will cause a turn for the worse in many victim’s finances. On Tuesday, many folks waiting to complete or rebuild…
Nearly 350,000 California Homeowners in Fire Prone Areas Dropped by Insurers
Nearly 350,000 California Homeowners in Fire Prone Areas Dropped by Insurers

Click Here to Listen to Amy Bach on KQED Forum 8/26/19 Between 2015 and 2018, insurance companies dropped nearly 350,000 California homeowners in high-risk fire areas. This insurance coverage data, recently released by California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara’s office, does not reflect how many people…
Homeowner insurance dilemma may turn into a full blown crisis
Homeowner insurance dilemma may turn into a full blown crisis

SANTA ROSA, CA – Consumer advocates say a homeowners insurance crunch may soon become a homeowners insurance crisis as customers face huge rate increases or out-and-out cancellations. Experts say the major reasons homeowner policies get giant rate hikes or out-and-out cancellations is that their homes…