Consumer Watchdog Digging for Dirt in State Farm’s Backyard Consumer advocacy group Consumer Watchdog has called on California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara to convene a public hearing regarding State Farm’s proposed 30% hike in homeowners’ insurance rates. The group contends that the proposed increase is intended to enhance the insurer’s financial stability rather than address anticipated claims, potentially resulting in a $5.2 billion burden on consumers. Concerns Over Financial Burden Consumer Watchdog’s petition, filed under Proposition 103, mandates a public hearing on rate increases when requested by the public. The…
Read MoreTag: consumer protection
California Fair Plan Under Fire for Alleged Policy Violations
California Fair Plan Under Fire: Attorney Calls Policies “Criminally Restrictive” The California Fair Plan, designed as a last-resort insurance option for those unable to secure coverage elsewhere, is now under significant scrutiny. An Oakland attorney has spotlighted troubling issues impacting hundreds of thousands of policyholders. According to reporter Shandel Menezes from NBC San Diego, Attorney Dylan Schaffer of the Kerley Schaffer law firm has described the policies under the Fair Plan as “criminally restrictive” and asserts that selling these policies constitutes a misdemeanor under Insurance Code 2083. Schaffer claims that…
Read MoreState Farm Dominates and Soars to Top of AM Best Rankings with $92.6 Billion in Premiums!
State Farm has once again claimed the top position in AM Best’s rankings of US Property and Casualty (P&C) insurers for 2023, reinforcing its dominance in the market. The company’s total net premiums written (NPW) surged by an impressive 19.1% to $92.6 billion, further widening the gap between itself and its competitors. Dominance in the P&C Sector In the dynamic world of insurance, rankings can be both stable and surprising. Here, we explore the latest shifts among top US Property and Casualty (P&C) insurers, spotlighting substantial changes in Net Premium…
Read MoreAre State Farm Rate Hikes Justified? What California Faces Without Them
Is the State at the Mercy of Its Largest Property Casualty Company? The insurance industry in California has recently been shaken by the news that State Farm, one of the nation’s largest insurers, may pull out of the state and non-renew existing policies if they don’t get what they want. This potential move has sparked widespread concern among consumers and industry experts alike. What would be the consequences if State Farm were to follow through with this decision? And is the company justified in requesting significant rate increases given California’s…
Read MoreState Farm Tech An Unseen Side of the Insurance Giant
State Farm Goes Beyond Insurance State Farm Insurance is widely known for its slogan, “Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.” However, the insurance giant has gradually unveiled a different side to its business—technology. While many may associate State Farm with auto, home, and life insurance, the company is making significant strides in the tech industry, offering an array of patented innovations for sale. Which includes technologies ranging from auto telematics and smart home tech to unmanned aerial mission systems and adjustable virtual scenario-based training environments, has sparked a…
Read MoreCalifornia Governor Newsom backs property insurance reform measure
The goal is to ensure that homeowners and business owners will find necessary coverage California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara recently announced that a new draft measure would make it a requirement for property insurance companies using new catastrophe modeling to write more policies in areas at a higher risk of events such as wildfires. Larger insurers must insure properties at a specific minimum level The draft regulation would require that all companies using new catastrophe modeling to write more property insurance policies in distressed areas. That said, larger insurers would…
Read MoreState Farm Reverses California Policy Non-Renewals – With a Catch
State Farm, the largest insurance carrier in California, has announced a significant reversal of its earlier decision to not renew over 70,000 policies in the state, including 30,000 home insurance policies. This change comes after the company initially cited increasing wildfire risks as the primary reason for its decision back in March. However, the company’s renewed commitment comes with a notable caveat that is bound to impact policyholders significantly. State Farm Reversal and The Catch According to a statement from Sevag Sarkissian, State Farm’s California spokesperson, while the company will…
Read More