California homeowners insurance Archives

Consumer advocates say home insurance is still available in California without State Farm

June 5, 2023June 2, 2023 Marc

They are assuring property owners that other insurers will be able to help them find coverage. State Farm recently announced that it would no longer be accepting new home insurance and business insurance applications in California, due to the increasing frequency of wildfires and the rising cost of repairs. Many property owners are now wondering how they will be able to find coverage in the state. According to consumer advocate groups, there are still opportunities to find home insurance coverage in the state, though some are hoping that since State…

As floodwaters rise in California, flood insurance covers few homeowners

January 26, 2023January 25, 2023 Nordstrom

Flood insurance - Home near rising waters

Rainstorms have been soaking the state, placing property owners at risk of uncovered water damage. Throughout the entire state of California, only about 230,000 homes and other properties are covered by flood insurance policies. This coverage is not included in standard home policies, leaving Californians vulnerable. Therefore, only about 2 percent of California properties have flood insurance coverage against rising waters from storms such as those that have been soaking the state in recent weeks. For most of the properties that are covered, the federal government is the insurer. About…

California Assemblymember Levine’s wildfire budget aims to reduce insurance premiums

May 13, 2022May 12, 2022 Logan B.

Insurance premiums - Reduce costs - wildfires

Levine has called for $10 billion to boost defensible space and reduce the cost of coverage. California Assemblymember Marc Levine (D-Marin County) has announced a $10 billion budget request as Governor Newsome readies for the May budget revision. The revision is expected to show surplus funds that could potentially be greater than $68 billion. Levine wants half of the $10 billion wildfire risk budget to be aimed at home hardening strategy implementation in areas of high wildfire risk. He is also seeking to ensure that insurance premiums can be reduced,…

Mercury Insurance seeks to dispel California wildfire myths

June 22, 2021June 21, 2021 H. Cutner

The season is lining up to be a record breaking one and the insurer hopes residents will inform themselves. Mercury Insurance has taken to its newsroom and has enlisted the help of expert Douglas Kent in the hopes of helping Californians to dispel some of the most commonly believed wildfire myths. As the blazes are being accepted as a normal part of living in the state, residents need the facts. The first among the wildfire myths that was addressed right away in the insurance company’s recent publication on its site…

Insurance companies must boost wildfire preparedness, says California commissioner

May 17, 2021May 14, 2021 Marc

Wildfire preparedness - firefighter and scorched home

Ricardo Lara has called on property insurers to play a role in assisting homes and businesses in readiness. California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara has called for property insurers across the state to play a larger role in boosting wildfire preparedness among homeowners and businesses. The goal is to create improved widespread readiness as the fire risk season approaches this year. At the end of last week, Lara gave an update on the actions that California communities are taking to help promote wildfire preparedness among state residents. He spoke during a…