Sustainable Insurance Strategy Archives

Ricardo Lara’s Reforms: Can They Save California’s Property Market from Fire Risks?

August 15, 2024August 14, 2024 Marc

Commissioner Lara’s Reforms to Rescue California’s Property Market In a bid to rescue California’s beleaguered property market, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara has announced a series of reforms aimed at addressing the growing crisis in the state’s insurance sector. The situation has reached a critical point, with many insurers either pausing or severely limiting new policies, particularly in high-risk areas prone to wildfires. The Roots of the Crisis The current crisis is partly rooted in the 1988 voter-passed Proposition 103, which mandates that insurance companies obtain approval from the California Department…

Maryland Insurance Professionals Face Stricter Standards

August 13, 2024August 12, 2024 H. Cutner

Protecting Maryland Consumers: A Closer Look at Stricter Penalties Starting October 1, consumers in Maryland will witness the implementation of more stringent penalties for unauthorized insurance activities. These legislative changes, introduced by the Maryland Insurance Administration, aims to protect consumers from fraudulent practices while ensuring that insurance professionals uphold the highest standards. Unauthorized Insurer Fines Soar: The fines for unauthorized insurers have substantially increased, with penalties rising from $50,000 to a maximum of $125,000. Higher Penalties for Dishonest Practices: Insurance producers and public adjusters indulging in dishonest or incompetent practices…

California Homeowners Face 34% Rate Hike as Allstate Follows State Farm’s Lead in Insurance Shakeup

July 31, 2024July 30, 2024 Archie Walsh

California Homeowners insurance rates going up

LOS ANGELES: In a move that mirrors State Farm’s recent actions, Allstate is seeking a substantial increase in its California homeowners insurance premiums. First reported by the Los Angeles Times, Allstate aims to raise rates by an average of 34%, marking the largest rate hike in the state this year. If approved by the California Department of Insurance, this increase will impact over 350,000 policyholders. This latest development follows State Farm’s request for significant rate increases, including a 50% hike for renters and a 30% hike for homeowners. The six-largest…

California Governor Newsom backs property insurance reform measure

June 19, 2024June 18, 2024 Logan B.

Property insurance - California Law - Support

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…

California’s Insurer of Last Resort on the Brink Amid Wildfire Crisis

March 26, 2024March 25, 2024 Angela Linders

Catastrophic Wildfires Upend Insurance Landscapes The California Fair Access to Insurance Requirements (FAIR) Plan, established as a safety net for homeowners in high-risk fire zones, faces an unprecedented threat of insolvency amid a flurry of catastrophic wildfires and increasing claims. This predicament has sparked intense scrutiny and discussions on sustainable insurance strategies while leaving many to wonder about the future of fire insurance availability in the state. The Increasing Burden on California FAIR Plan With an exodus of insurers from California’s market, the FAIR Plan has swelled to double its…