Putting Florida more in line with national practices
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.…
Earthquake policyholders scarce despite quake risk
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.…
Earthquake policyholders scarce despite quake risk
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.…
The other ‘mean season’ begins as insurers tally losses, decide whether premium hikes needed
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…
High insurance and non-renewals hit hard in Mendocino County
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…
What’s next in California’s insurance crisis? Commissioner Lara lays out plan, addresses criticism
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…
California homeowner made costly upgrades to satisfy his insurer. He still got dropped
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…
Is it possible to get a break in an insurance crisis?
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,…
Panel to tackle state fire insurance crisis Dec. 8
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…
National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Fall 2024 Meeting Summary
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…
Flood insurance in California: Here’s how to sign up
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…
‘Insurance Coverage Law’ certification takes another step forward
‘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…
Here’s where to go for help with Mountain Fire recovery
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…
Here are the steps to take if your home, business was damaged by the Givaudan explosion
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…
Officials offer tips to Portola Valley residents struggling to maintain home insurance
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,…
THE BERKELEY ACTIVISTS’ CALENDAR, November 10-17
THE BERKELEY ACTIVISTS’ CALENDAR, November 10-17

Worth Noting: Monday, November 11, 2024 is the Veteran’s Day Holiday. The agenda for the November 19, 2024 City Council meeting is available for comment. Check City website for meetings posted on short notice https://berkeleyca.gov Go to meetings are: City Council on Tuesday, the Parks…
Homeowners try to move forward when wildfire losses weren’t covered by insurance
Homeowners try to move forward when wildfire losses weren’t covered by insurance

More homeowners across the country are going without insurance. In a dispersed California community, some homeowners are trying to figure out how to move forward when their losses weren’t covered. ARI SHAPIRO, HOST: If your home gets wiped out by a natural disaster and you…
Dropped by your insurance company? Here’s what you should do next
Dropped by your insurance company? Here’s what you should do next

Whether you live in the foothills or the suburbs, it’s likely you or someone you know has received a letter of non-renewal from their insurance company. SACRAMENTO, Calif. — ‘Support consumers, not sell them on something,’ is a policy insurance consumer advocate Amy Bach grew…