More homes in wildfire-prone areas means learning to live with fire
More homes in wildfire-prone areas means learning to live with fire

Diane Moss has learned a lot of lessons from the 97,000-acre Woolsey Fire that damaged more than 300 structures, destroyed another 1,600, and left three dead in the Santa Monica Mountains in 2018. One of those lessons: Have a scanner radio so she and her…
Outlook for home insurance in 2024
Outlook for home insurance in 2024

Key points Climate change is increasing homeowners insurance claim severity and frequency. In the short term, homeowners can expect higher home insurance premiums, the possibility of nonrenewal and fewer options for insurance. In the long term, home insurance rates may start to stabilize. 2023 was…
Insurance In California Is Changing. Here’s How It May Affect You
Insurance In California Is Changing. Here’s How It May Affect You

For most people, insurance is the first line of defense against climate change. When struck by wildfire, flooding or other calamity, an adequate insurance policy can come to the rescue. It’s like a financial first responder, an ambulance full of money to help people back…
Advice from experts on securing property insurance and keeping costs down
Advice from experts on securing property insurance and keeping costs down

As another insurer leaves California, organizations like United Policyholders and the Department of Insurance have tips and resources to help homeowners shop for coverage and challenge nonrenewal. Before settling for the California FAIR Plan, make sure to exhaust all other options. The California Department of…
Another insurer is leaving California. Here’s what the troubling trend could mean to North Bay homeowners
Another insurer is leaving California. Here’s what the troubling trend could mean to North Bay homeowners

A subsidiary of Farmers Insurance has become the latest in a long string of companies to leave or limit coverage in the state since May, including Allstate, State Farm, Farmers and USAA. Yet another insurer is leaving the California market, affecting tens of thousands of…
‘Prompt action’ on fire insurance has yet to help California homeowners
‘Prompt action’ on fire insurance has yet to help California homeowners

While state regulators craft new regulations and consult with the insurance industry, many Californians are paying extra-high premiums — or going without insurance entirely. In September, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order for “prompt regulatory action” to address the plight of California homeowners facing…
Climate change is impacting the home insurance industry and damaging the housing market
Climate change is impacting the home insurance industry and damaging the housing market

When Michael Monaghan, a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Sellers Realty in northern California, got an offer for a home in Bayside at the seller’s $650,000 list price in September, he told the buyer’s agent that the buyer needed to start looking for insurance…
10th Circuit rules Black Hawk casino’s insurance policy did not cover COVID-19 closure
10th Circuit rules Black Hawk casino’s insurance policy did not cover COVID-19 closure

The Colorado Supreme Court and the 10th Circuit have both found COVID-19 harms people, but does not damage property The federal appeals court based in Denver decided last week that a Black Hawk casino’s insurance policy, with limited exception, did not provide for hundreds of…
Climate change is impacting the home insurance industry and damaging the housing market
Climate change is impacting the home insurance industry and damaging the housing market

When Michael Monaghan, a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Sellers Realty in northern California, got an offer for a home in Bayside at the seller’s $650,000 list price in September, he told the buyer’s agent that the buyer needed to start looking for insurance…
Here’s why insurance companies want to raise rates in California
Here’s why insurance companies want to raise rates in California

Climate change and inflation are fueling problems for the California home insurance industry. Bay Area Congressman John Garamendi served as California’s very first insurance commissioner. “The insurance companies are pulling out, pulling policies,” Garamendi said. “They’re raising rates in many cases without justification.” Garamendi claimed…
Biden wades into home insurance mess
Biden wades into home insurance mess

Climate change may be forcing millions of Americans to go without home insurance, as unpredictable weather and intensifying disasters prompt major underwriters to flee hard-hit neighborhoods. In response, the Biden administration is asking top insurance companies — for the first time — to provide detailed,…
Sunday’s Letters to the Editor
Sunday’s Letters to the Editor

Insurance market EDITOR: Amy Bach writes that insurance companies are probably overreacting to the Glass Fire, Tubbs Fire, etc. in terms of fire insurance rates (“Crisis rooted in climate change and big profits,” Oct. 29). I do know that according to my insurance broker, fire…
Insurers face wave of inquiries over climate risks
Insurers face wave of inquiries over climate risks

The nation’s property insurance industry is coming under unprecedented scrutiny with the launch of three inquiries into how climate change is causing premiums to soar and pushing insurers to withdraw from at-risk regions. The moves by the Treasury Department, two U.S. senators and a national…
Calfire Wildfire Prevention Grants: Open 11/1/23-1/10/24
Calfire Wildfire Prevention Grants: Open 11/1/23-1/10/24

Statewide Grant Alert:  Calfire Wildfire Prevention Grants: Open 11/1/23-1/10/24 Funds for projects in and near fire threatened communities to improve public health and safety while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.  Learn more here: https://www.fire.ca.gov/what-we-do/grants/wildfire-prevention-grants Thank you to Chief Berlant for sharing this opportunity with our WRAP working…
Insurance companies leaving California
Insurance companies leaving California

A lot of people in the Bay Area are losing their homeowners insurance. Big companies, like State Farm and Allstate, and even some smaller companies, are either refusing to insure you, or simply closing up shop in California. NBC Bay Area’s Raj Mathai spoke to…
Spooky Insurance News
Spooky Insurance News

There’s lots being said these days about the negative impact on home and business owners of reduced competition and coverage and sharply rising premiums resulting from insurers’ reactions to climate change, technology and inflation. The marketplace dynamics and political forces in play in Florida, Louisiana…
Close to Home: Insurance crisis rooted in climate change, big profits
Close to Home: Insurance crisis rooted in climate change, big profits

Press Democrat Op Ed, by: Amy Bach In the North Bay today, and many other areas considered to be at risk for wildfires, we are in the grip of a serious property insurance availability and affordability crisis. Until fairly recently, most North Bay residents didn’t…
Insurance Access Emergency Hits Close To Home
Insurance Access Emergency Hits Close To Home

Across California, the cost of homeowners insurance is further fueling housing unaffordability. While many city households in California may still enjoy some of the lowest homeowners insurance rates in the nation, the astronomical insurance cost increases for residents, businesses and even public service agencies like…