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Due to wildfire risks in California and an increase in construction costs, insurance companies are forgoing the issuance of new policies, increasing premiums, and making finding and maintaining coverage in many areas of the state more difficult than ever. Use these materials C.A.R. prepared to help clients maintain their current insurance plan or, if necessary, find a new one. 

Quick Links

Shareable Consumer One Sheets
Home Insurance Help FAQ
StateFarm, Allstate stop selling home insurance to new customers in CA
Wildfire Disclosure Reports
Wildfire Issues: Defensible Space & Fire Insurance Slide Deck
Defensible Space Quick Guide 
Fire Insurance Quick Guide
United Policyholders Webinar Summary and Recording
Wildfire Fallout: Audio Recording

Shareable Consumer One Sheets

 

How to Protect Yourself From Scam Artists

How to protect yourself from scam artists following wildfire damage Click to download

How to Find (or Keep) Fire Insurance

How to find fire insurance Click to download

Prepare for Flood, Mudslide or Other Insurance Claims Related to Wildfire

Prepare for flood, mudslide or other insurance claims Click to download

How to Fire-Harden Your Home

How to Fire Harden your home Click to download

The New One-Year Non-Renewal Moratorium Explained

The new one-year non-renewal moratorium, explained  Click to download

 

 

Home Insurance Help FAQ

 

A: In certain high-risk areas of the state, there are very few insurance companies willing to write new policies. In some, State Farm was the last private insurance company writing policies. In those areas, the generally more-costly California FAIR plan may end up being the only property insurance available.

A: State Farm and Allstate will continue to service and renew policies of existing clients in the state and offer new auto insurance policies. However, they will not be issuing any new property insurance policies for the time being in California.

A: There are still a wide range of companies writing policies in California. However, those willing to write new policies in higher risk areas are declining, and as stated above, with the departure of State Farm and Allstate, those in more high-risk areas may have no other option than the FAIR plan.

Many entities such as the nonprofit United Policyholders are maintaining regular dialogue with insurers to encourage them to recognize the value of wildfire risk reduction and resume insuring condos and homes located in the wildland-urban interface and suburban regions. The Department of Insurance also maintains dialogue with insurers on a regular basis and is consistently working to improve California FAIR Plan options.

A: The California Fair Access to Insurance Requirements (FAIR) Plan provides basic fire insurance coverage for properties in high-risk areas as a “last resort” option when traditional insurance coverage is not available. A FAIR Plan policy offers protection from risk of fire and will satisfy a mortgage company’s requirement that your home be insured, but it doesn’t cover theft, flood, earthquake, hail, vandalism, or personal liability.

When referring to insurers, the terms “admitted” or “non-admitted” indicate whether those companies are either fully or lightly regulated by the state’s insurance regulating agency. Many unfamiliar home insurers are non-admitted but may serve as a suitable coverage option, especially in areas where more well-known coverage options aren’t available. A good insurance broker can help inform you on whether a non-admitted carrier has the financial backing necessary to provide adequate coverage. You can also visit AM Best Rating Service to check the financial strength of an unknown brand.

Several factors have led to today’s challenging insurance market, which has, particularly in some areas of the state, contributed to higher premiums. The best way to avoid paying higher rates is to seek out a proactive, consumer-oriented agent or broker to help educate you on your options.

A: If you’re insuring a home, business, or anything that’s unique, it’s generally advisable to find a good agent or broker to help you choose the right coverage. In assessing your options, make sure to seek out personal recommendations, online reviews, and obtain background information about licensed professionals via the California Department of Insurance website, which keeps track of registered insurance companies, agents, and brokers doing business in the state. For more help finding a broker, visit the United Policyholder’s online , try the Department of Insurance’s Home Insurance Finder, or use the FAIR Plan’s Find a Broker tool

A: Asking good questions, trusting your instincts, and checking license statuses will help you avoid being scammed or overpaying for insurance. Some suggestions to ask when working with a broker or agent:

  • How long have you been in business?
  • Are you a “captive” agent, meaning that you exclusively represent one company? If not, how many companies do you represent?
  • If I cancel the policy mid-term, will there be an “earned minimum” premium?
  • If I have a loss and need to file a claim, how will you assist me?
  • Is there a broker fee plus a commission, and if so, how much will the commission and fee be?

A: If you are one of the many Californians whose insurance company has notified them they will not be renewing a policy on their home, don’t panic. First, your insurer must give you at least 75 days notice before your policy expires to issue a nonrenewal. You can also contact your provider to see if there are any actions you can take to qualify for a renewal. The California Department of Insurance provides useful guidance for responding to non-renewal notifications and also provides several information guides, tips, and tools for understanding home/residential insurance. Plus, you can contact their Insurance Customer Hotline (800-927-HELP) for assistance. In the event the decision is not reversable, finding a good “independent” agent using the resources mentioned above can help you find and maintain adequate coverage you can afford.

The one-year moratorium refers to Senate Bill 824 (2018), an important consumer protection law that requires a mandatory one-year moratorium on insurance companies cancelling or non-renewing residential insurance policies in certain areas within or adjacent to a fire perimeter after a declared state of emergency is issued by the Governor. The protection from cancellation or non-renewal lasts for one year from the date of the Governor’s emergency declaration. The law has been implemented following wildfires in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022. For more information or to find out if your ZIP code is included in the latest moratorium, visit the Department of Insurance or see the C.A.R. fire insurance resource.

If you live in a ZIP code protected under the one-year moratorium, your insurance company is prohibited from cancelling or non-renewing your residential insurance policy for one year from the date of the Governor’s emergency declaration following the fire. If your home was destroyed by a wildfire, your insurer must renew you for two years. An extension of up to 12 additional months, for a total of 36 months, should be granted if you encounter delays beyond your reasonable control. For more guidance on protections following a wildfire, visit the Department of Insurance’s Top Ten Tips for Wildfire Claimants.

Your time to collect Additional Living Expense (ALE) reimbursement, including temporary rent and rebuilding expenses, after a declared catastrophe is no less than 24 months even if your policy says otherwise; however, your amount of coverage is not increased. According to the Department of Insurance, an extension of up to 12 additional months, for a total of 36 months, should be granted to cover ALE expenses if you encounter delays beyond your reasonable control. For more on what is and isn’t covered for wildfire claimants, visit the Department of Insurance’s website.

A: When it comes to wildfire safety, every inch of a home is vulnerable due to several factors, including the possibility of fallen embers carried by the wind. As such, you’ll want to use ignition-resistant materials on and around your home to help it withstand such hazards and radiant heat. Also, be sure to create and maintain 100 feet of defensible space around your home. Defensible space is the buffer created by removing dead grass, plants, and weeds to help keep wildfires away. For more information, visit our quick guide on defensible space, visit https://www.car.org/riskmanagement/tools/wildfireissues. For additional useful guidance on fire safety, visit fire.ca.gov.

Clients should know that many resources exist that are designed to help them make informed decisions when dealing with insurance. The Department of Insurance and United Policyholders websites contain a wealth of insurance knowledge and guidance and the Department of Insurance Customer Hotline (1-800-927-4357) connects clients directly to dedicated insurance experts ready to provide support when needed. In addition, a good insurance broker can help guide them in their search. Especially given the challenging conditions of the market, an experienced broker will have the know-how and background to help homebuyers find a policy with adequate coverage at a reasonable price. For help finding a broker, visit the United Policyholder’s online guidance, Department of Insurance’s Home Insurance Finder or use the FAIR Plan’s Find a Broker tool.

*The FAQs provided herein are for informational purposes only and not a substitute for legal advice. Your decision to select and contact an insurance provider should be based on your independent evaluation and in your sole discretion. Please visit the Department of Insurance and United Policyholders for further guidance.

 

  

Webinars & Recordings


 

Webinar: Keeping Your Home Protected When Insurance Options are Limited and Expensive

 

Following the announcements that State Farm and AllState have chosen not to issue new policies for homeowners insurance in California, nonprofit organization United Policyholders conducted a webinar recently to provide consumers with information about the impacts of these decisions.

Amy Bach, the Executive Director of United Policyholders, led a panel of home insurance industry experts to discuss the current market and actions homeowners can take to protect their homes.

The panel also covered what to do if your insurance company non-renews you, how to assess home insurance companies you’ve never heard of, and the CA Fair Plan and what it covers. Throughout the panel, speakers offered important guidance on what to consider when buying home insurance and where to go to educate yourself to protect your home, namely to the Department of Insurance and United Policyholders resources.

Among other takeaways, Bach underscored the importance of hiring a good insurance broker or agent, especially considering the challenging conditions of the current market. Bach also warned against underinsuring dwellings, as two-thirds of homeowners who lose their homes in wildfires find themselves underinsured. For consumers working with a non-admitted insurance carrier, it's that much more important to work with an agent or broker who can assure the company has the financial strength needed.

The meeting recording, materials presented, and links to basic tips and resources are available online

 

 

Audio Recording: Wildfire Fallout

Wildfire Fallout:
Why Insurance companies are dropping CA homeowners and what you need to know to save your transaction.

 

Speakers:

Emily Rogan, United Policyholders
Rex Frazier, Personal Insurance Federation of California
John M. Hochhausler, Manning & Kass
Judy Austin, Broker Associate and 2019 President, Tuolumne County AOR®
June Barlow, General Counsel, CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

 


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