December 8, 2024 Putting Florida more in line with national practices Stacey Clark walks around her Bethel Creek home with her dog Sweetie on Oct. 15 after a tornado tore through her home Oct. 9 before Hurricane Milton passed through the area. Clark was in her home with Sweetie when the tornado ripped her roof off.…
December 6, 2024 Earthquake policyholders scarce despite quake risk North Bay property owners may be rethinking their insurance coverage following the 7.0 earthquake off the coast of Humboldt County on Thursday morning. Despite experiencing 90% of the nation’s earthquakes, only 10% of California’s residents have earthquake insurance, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.…
December 6, 2024 Earthquake policyholders scarce despite quake risk North Bay property owners may be rethinking their insurance coverage following the 7.0 earthquake off the coast of Humboldt County on Thursday morning. Despite experiencing 90% of the nation’s earthquakes, only 10% of California’s residents have earthquake insurance, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.…
December 5, 2024 The other ‘mean season’ begins as insurers tally losses, decide whether premium hikes needed In mid-November, more than a month after Hurricane Milton’s Florida landfall rendered her Zephyrhills home uninhabitable, Jessica Fernandez was still wondering how her life could be returned to anything like it was before Mother Nature’s fury descended from the skies. She filed insurance claims the…
December 4, 2024 High insurance and non-renewals hit hard in Mendocino County Everyone knows that California, like many other states, is in the midst of an insurance crisis. The pressing questions are: What can property owners do to bring costs down, and is there help on the horizon? On Nov. 19, the eve of the season’s first…
December 3, 2024 What’s next in California’s insurance crisis? Commissioner Lara lays out plan, addresses criticism Significant questions are being raised about promises made by California’s Insurance Commissioner alleging insurers will be expanding coverage in fire-prone areas by 85%. A critical issue that affects millions of policyholders across the state as insurers drop. 7 On Your Side investigates the promises Commissioner…
December 1, 2024 California homeowner made costly upgrades to satisfy his insurer. He still got dropped Sonoma County homeowner Ed Wong found himself in a rare situation: He knew exactly what he needed to do to avoid getting dropped by his insurer. The company had even given him a list. On it were three mandatory upgrades, for gas, plumbing and security…
November 28, 2024 Is it possible to get a break in an insurance crisis? Everyone knows that California, like many other states, is in the midst of an insurance crisis. The pressing questions are: what can property owners do to bring costs down; and is there help on the horizon? On the eve of the season’s first atmospheric river,…
November 28, 2024 Panel to tackle state fire insurance crisis Dec. 8 California’s insurance crisis and what can be done about it is the focus of a panel discussion set for Sunday, Dec. 8, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Ojai Retreat & Inn, 160 Besant Road. The wildfire insurance coverage panel, organized by the Ojai…
November 27, 2024 National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Fall 2024 Meeting Summary The Mitchell Williams Insurance Regulatory team of attorneys recently attended the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Fall 2024 National Meeting which was held in Denver, Colorado. We have prepared a summary of the open sessions conducted over the course of the meeting highlighting issues…
November 25, 2024 Insurance Insiders Say Regulation and Mitigation Can Keep the Industry from Retreating in Colorado Underwriters aren’t pulling back from Colorado like they have in Florida and California, but industry workers say the state is at a tipping point. David Selden and his wife, Karen, recently moved into the country 10 miles outside of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, after living in…
November 22, 2024 Flood insurance in California: Here’s how to sign up California is once again being drenched by an atmospheric river-driven storm — but by the time a storm is in the forecast, it’s most often too late for homeowners to buy flood insurance. But it’s not too late to protect against future storms. Just 185,000…
November 20, 2024 ‘Insurance Coverage Law’ certification takes another step forward The Board of Legal Specialization and Education is poised to grant final approval of a proposed new “Insurance Coverage Law” board certification program, after sponsors agreed to make final revisions. “The BLSE approved the new certification area in concept, but the standards need additional work…
November 14, 2024 Here’s where to go for help with Mountain Fire recovery The Mountain Fire has ripped through 20,630 acres and destroyed more than 200 homes and other structures since it sparked in the Somis area, north of Camarillo, on the morning of Nov. 6. By Thursday afternoon, the fire was 82% contained, according to the California…
November 13, 2024 Here are the steps to take if your home, business was damaged by the Givaudan explosion Residents of the Clifton neighborhood experienced broken windows and doors, roof and vehicle damage, and flying debris Tuesday after an explosion at the Givaudan Sense Colour industrial facility that left two employees dead and several injured. If your property has been damaged due to this…
November 13, 2024 Take these steps if your home or business could be damaged by NJ wildfires As a wildfire fueled by drought near the New Jersey-New York border left an 18-year-old volunteer firefighter dead and burned through thousands of acres, forecasters are warning of an increased risk of spread throughout the week. The blaze, formally named the Jennings Creek wildfire, is…
November 13, 2024 Officials offer tips to Portola Valley residents struggling to maintain home insurance Portola Valley hosted an event to inform local residents about home insurance options and policies, an important topic for a community at risk for wildfires. On Nov. 11, over 60 residents joined a presentation and Q&A with the California Department of Insurance and United Policyholders,…
November 12, 2024 FEMA and SBA 2024 Updates Overview On March 22, 2024 new rules regarding FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program (IHP) went into effect. The new rules are intended to provide quicker access to needed funds, expanded eligibility for property and home repairs, and an easier application process for survivors to jumpstart their…
