SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — The state of the insurance coverage trade in California is stuffed with uncertainty. Have questions on your home-owner or renter insurance coverage? 7 On Your Facet and a workforce of trade specialists are right here to reply your questions!
On Wednesday, Might 7 from 3 to 7 PM, 7 On Your Facet and a workforce of insurance coverage specialists will reply your questions on non-renewals, rising premiums, and what attainable modifications could come.
Submit your query utilizing the shape beneath at any time, or name 866-561-2611 on Might 7, 2025 between 3 and seven PM.
We are going to put up viewer questions and their solutions on this web page, so be looking out on your query proper right here — plus you might be taught new issues by different individuals’s questions!
Viewer title: Cynthia I.
Viewer query: How are they going to make sure that insurance coverage costs do not go up for houses NOT in excessive threat fireplace or flood areas? So far, it appears we’re being penalized with increased costs (and fewer selections for insurance coverage corporations) due to the excessive threat areas.
Volunteer title / group: Orlando Frasca from Acrisure – Walnut Creek
Reply: The chances are the upper threat areas will face even increased costs as they do not need to penalize these in decrease threat areas.
Viewer title: Michael M.
Viewer query: My cabin is insured by AAA for every thing EXCEPT Hearth. I’ve fireplace safety underneath the California Truthful Plan (probably not honest). Cabin is paid off and I wanted to know if I drop the California Truthful plan, will that in any method trigger an issue with AAA masking every thing except Hearth?
Volunteer title / group: Karson Kwan – Kwan Insurance coverage Companies
Reply: In the event you drop your Truthful Plan protection, your AAA distinction in circumstances coverage will possible stop to supply protection, as practically all difference-in-conditions insurance policies require that there’s an underlying CA Truthful Plan coverage in pressure earlier than protection within the DIC coverage is afforded. I might advise you to learn by the coverage phrases fastidiously (or attain out to your agent) to confirm whether or not the DIC continues to be legitimate if the CA Truthful Plan is cancelled. Some various insurance coverage markets might be able to supply insurance policies with wildfire exclusions, however you will have to succeed in out to an agent/dealer to assist discover you a coverage like that.
Viewer title: Fan A.
Viewer query: I am 73 yo feminine with owners and insurance coverage insurance policies which are due MAY 15. I am legally deaf so please textual content me if wanted. My agent didn’t reply to my a number of emails or texts. I referred to as State Farm through RELAY service and was instructed statements would arrive earlier than the primary week of Might. Nothing acquired. I referred to as once more and this man stated he would e mail the statements nevertheless it takes time. I feel he’s gaslighting an aged girl. Renewal due Might 15!
Volunteer title / group: Cody Webb – Cuanto Consulting
Reply: Hearth your agent and get a brand new one! You deserve higher remedy and there are numerous brokers who would love your enterprise.
Viewer title: Mindy S.
Viewer query: I used to be paying 3,200 per yr for insurance coverage. I reside within the Santa Cruz mountains and have been dropped by AAA and now State Farm. The one protection I can discover is the CA Un-Truthful plan which goes to cost 7,740 for the fireplace protection after which one other 4,032.50 from State Farm for the wrap-around protection. I’ve personally contacted many corporations, together with Lloyd’s of London, and I can’t discover any which are capable of insure my dwelling. Are you aware of any corporations that provide dwelling insurance coverage within the Santa Cruz mountains that might be reasonably priced? Thanks, Mindy
Volunteer title / group: Karson Kwan – Kwan Insurance coverage Companies
Reply: Sadly, with the state of right now’s insurance coverage market in California, the Santa Cruz Mountains are thought-about a excessive wildfire threat space, since these mountains consist primarily of timber, brush, and vegetation. Right now, it’s unlikely that it is possible for you to to search out one other service that may present protection for the wildfire publicity. For the wrap-around (difference-in-conditions) protection, you’ll be able to store round with different insurance coverage corporations and brokers/brokers in your space to search out you a decrease priced difference-in-conditions coverage, however the wildfire coverage will possible need to be obtained by the CA Truthful Plan no matter which service will insure the difference-in-conditions coverage. It might be advisable to contact an unbiased insurance coverage agent/dealer that may provide help to store round at completely different carriers to supply a number of choices for you.
Viewer title: Cynthia H.
Viewer query: I’ve heard that zone 0 would be the regulation in 2026 (no vegetation inside 5 ft of a construction). How will this be enforced and can it have an effect on my capacity to get owners insurance coverage?
Volunteer title / group: Cody Webb – Cuanto Consulting, LLC
Reply: Whereas this degree of clearance is fascinating, it will likely be nearly not possible for this to be verified and enforced all through the state. Some technological options, similar to aerial imagery, could assist, however verification is likely one of the greatest challenges dealing with the insurance coverage trade. We’re nonetheless on the lookout for options to this. Some proposals have been superior to create a statewide database of mitigation, however this might require an enormous effort. Finally, I might advise shoppers to take away vegetation near the home, however I do not suppose such a requirement might be enforced.
Viewer title: Mark P.
Viewer query: Our owners insurance coverage premium doubled in a single yr (2023 to 2024) from about $4000 to about $8000) and is now being dropped (non-renewed) in 2025. Is it authorized for the insurance coverage firm to extend the premium this a lot in a single yr?
Volunteer title / group: Carmen Balber, Shopper Watchdog
Reply: Insurance coverage corporations should get approval for all charge will increase, they usually can legally fluctuate considerably from yr to yr. It actually is determined by the particular causes on your One main motive some owners have seen huge in a single day will increase is as a result of insurance coverage corporations are utilizing non-public corporations’ expertise to assign fireplace threat scores. Sadly, the insurance coverage commissioner isn’t requiring insurance coverage corporations to reveal the explanations behind their threat scores.
Viewer title: Pat L.
Viewer query: My mother owns a triplex. State Farm is not going to be renewing my mother’s owners insurance coverage as a result of they do not cowl residences. I’ve referred to as a number of huge title insurance coverage corporations with none accepting new prospects. Causes vary from solely masking auto, not in California, having to attend to use 3 years from cancellation, solely with lower than 2 tenants, easy decline. How do we discover simply home-owner insurance coverage for a triplex? Thanks
Volunteer title / group: Orlando Frasca Acrisure Insurance coverage- Walnut Creek
Reply: There are unbiased insurance coverage businesses that may insure triplexes. My employees does this regularly; attain out to a non “direct” company that brokers for a number of insurance coverage corporations; they’re going to be capable to assist
Viewer title: Nancy C.
Viewer query: Allstate was the first firm to extend their automobile insurance coverage charges 38% (solely in CA) about 2 years in the past. I have been with them since 1980’s with a number of minor accidents over 40 years. I had 1 accident final yr, and bought a brand new automobile this yr. Now paying $6k a yr for automobile insurance coverage (greater than my new automobile cost). I am on mounted revenue (social safety). How can they increase charges like this ? So mistaken. I can not afford to pay insurance coverage & automobile cost & mortgage cost
Volunteer title / group: Carmen Balber, Shopper Watchdog
Reply: Insurance coverage corporations do need to get approval for charge hikes, however that does not imply you are getting all of the reductions you are entitled to. There are a number of issues you are able to do to attempt to scale back your charges. Make sure that your insurance coverage firm has your right annual mileage. Many are resetting insurance policies at an ordinary 12,000 miles pushed yearly – if you happen to drive much less you may right that and it ought to scale back your premium. In the event you purchased a brand new automobile, be certain that in addition they have all your automobile’s security options – like a safety system, computerized braking, and many others – which may scale back charges. And bundling your property and auto insurance coverage insurance policies, if you happen to do not already, may scale back your charge. In the event you suppose you’re paying an excessive amount of at Allstate it is also all the time a good suggestion to buy round – get quotes from different insurance coverage corporations who could have higher costs.
Viewer title: Cynthia H.
Viewer query: My insurance coverage dealer simply instructed me that there’s a current change in who can qualify for the Truthful Plan. She stated if the rebuild value of your property exceeds $3MM, you can not qualify for the Truthful Plan. She stated it was not that method final yr. Is that this true? It value me $4MM to rebuild my dwelling misplaced within the Tubbs Hearth.
Volunteer title / group: Orlando Frasca, Acrisure Insurance coverage – Walnut Creek
Reply: The Truthful Plan covers as much as a MAXIMUM of $ 3MM, you may nonetheless qualify for Truthful Plan, however the further $ 1MM you want needs to be procured by an “extra” insurance coverage firm that can construct on prime of the Truthful Plan. An unbiased company would have the option that can assist you with this.
Viewer title: Jan
Viewer query: I’ve auto insurance coverage by AAA and just lately added my dwelling to the plan as effectively. My spouse had an accident in 2024 and we just lately acquired a letter saying they won’t be renewing us for automobile insurance coverage beginning Might seventeenth. I feel it’s due to my spouse’s accident. I’m low revenue with 2 children, my spouse is a pupil, I reside in Sacramento and work in San Francisco. With no automobile, we might be in hassle. What are my choices?
Volunteer title / group: Carmen Balber, Shopper Watchdog
Reply: First you need to verify with the insurance coverage firm why they are not renewing you. It could be a motive you may right. California has a Low Price Auto Insurance coverage program – you may be taught extra at mylowcostauto.com. It has strict revenue eligibility and driving report necessities. Nonetheless, if you happen to qualify, common premiums are within the $400-500 vary.
Viewer title: Jeanette S.
Viewer query: Please clarify secondary market owners insurance coverage. Is it as dependable as main?
Volunteer title / group: Karson Kwan – Kwan Insurance coverage Companies
Reply: This is determined by what you imply by “secondary” market. In California, there are various insurance coverage corporations that function as extra & surplus (E&S) carriers, or typically generally known as non-admitted carriers. These carriers usually are not topic to the monetary solvency regulation and enforcement that apply to California licensed admitted insurers. This isn’t to say that each one E&S carriers are unreliable or not reliable, however you will need to consider the underwriting service’s monetary standing, by evaluating their monetary ranking by one of many insurance coverage service ranking bureaus, similar to AM Finest or Demotech. These ranking bureaus will be capable to consider and inform the patron of the monetary dimension, standing, and stability of the corporate, offering the patron with religion that the insurance coverage service will carry out and ship when wanted.
Viewer title: Tom L.
Viewer query: The premium for my owners insurance coverage by American Fashionable greater than doubled this yr from final yr. It went from $3306 to $6696. I’ve had no claims in over 45 years as a home-owner. Would not the state insurance coverage commissioner need to approve such giant will increase?
Volunteer title / group: Carmen Balber, Shopper Watchdog
Reply: The insurance coverage commissioner does need to approve all will increase, however we would wish extra data to know why your particular coverage went up a lot. One factor that has impacted current charge will increase is fireplace threat. Insurance coverage corporations are utilizing non-public corporations to set fireplace threat scores, with little transparency or clarification for the way these threat scores are set. You’re entitled to ask for the explanations for the speed enhance.
Viewer title: Artwork W.
Viewer query: We just lately acquired an Estimate Alternative Price worksheet from State Farm “to replace the Alternative Price Estimate” of our dwelling. How a lot can they enhance premiums and/or can they drop our protection primarily based on this data? Additionally, what’s the easiest way to keep away from getting over-coverage? As an example, if an merchandise listed is both now not in use or very low-cost and I do not care about getting it changed, ought to I simply say I haven’t got it?
Volunteer title / group: Cody Webb – Cuanto Consulting
Reply: Updating your alternative value can enhance your premium considerably. The excellent news is that such a rise additionally will increase your protection and ensures you will have sufficient protection within the occasion of a complete loss. One of the simplest ways to ensure it is not overestimated is to request and confirm all the main points that went into the valuation, and work along with your agent to right any errors. I additionally advocate getting worth comparability quotes from a second agent, and confirm that the agent is open and prepared to supply transparency on your alternative value estimate earlier than deciding on one.
Viewer title: Linda M.
Viewer query: My owners insurance coverage went up, a 250% enhance from final yr. I’ve not had any claims. Is that authorized to have that massive of a rise? I’m not within the fireplace zone. My insurance coverage was $1900 in 2024, and now $6900 for 2025.
Volunteer title / group: Dan Veroff / Merlin Regulation Group & United Policyholders
Reply: Insurance coverage premiums have been steadily rising with out regard as to whether a buyer has had claims or being within the fireplace zone. Insurance coverage corporations are required to acquire approval from the Dept. of Insurance coverage for charge will increase. The will increase should not be extreme underneath the regulation, which the Dept. opinions.
Viewer title: Yvonne
Viewer query: How a lot discover does an insurance coverage firm have to present you if they will not be renewing your insurance coverage?
Volunteer title / group: Dan Veroff / Merlin Regulation Group & United Policyholders
Reply: 75 days written discover for owners insurance coverage.
Viewer title: Kyra
Viewer query: my owners insurance coverage is being dropped as they are going to now not present owners insurance coverage in California. how do I discover out what insurance coverage corporations are nonetheless offering dwelling insurance coverage in California
Volunteer title / group: Cody Webb – Cuanto Consulting
Reply: Discover 1-2 brokers in your space. Test on-line opinions to pick out a top quality agent. Ask which carriers they provide (“unbiased”) brokers could have extra choices. Some carriers additionally promote insurance policies on-line.
Viewer title: Howard B.
Viewer query: My Householders Coverage Renewed on Mar 17, 2025. My Mortgage Firm MrCooper (NationStar) requested for proof of insurance coverage. Uploaded proof to their Web site on Mar 19, 2025. Received one other e mail on April 2nd saying they by no means acquired it. Uploaded one other copy and acquired an e mail again on April 7 saying they acquired my coverage. Received one other e mail right now saying my insurance coverage expired Mar 17. I uploaded it once more right now and referred to as my insurance coverage Co (California Casualty) to ship one other copy. My downside is that I can’t get a human on the cellphone when calling the Mortgage Firm. I’m pissed off and undecided what to do.
Volunteer title / group: Karson Kwan – Kwan Insurance coverage Companies
Reply: I might advise you to succeed in out to your insurance coverage agent to get the latest copy of the declarations web page on your insurance coverage coverage, then double examine that the dates listed in your declarations web page/proof of insurance coverage on your coverage is listed because the coverage interval from March 17, 2025 to March 17, 2026. While you add it to the net portal, it’s possible that it goes by an automatic system to scan the proof of insurance coverage for the handle, dates, and protection limits. Brokers usually take care of submitting proof of insurance coverage to the mortgage corporations on behalf of their shoppers, so you may ask them for help if you’re nonetheless having hassle with it.
Viewer title: Clay J.
Viewer query: For a few years, our neighborhood had a wildfire ranking by the varied businesses of a 2 (low) on a 0-10 scale. Not too long ago a brand new ranking entity was authorized and our neighborhood ranking was elevated to an 8 (excessive). No motive was given and no materials change to our neighborhood occurred. How can or not it’s authorized for a neighborhood that was rated at a 2 for a few years to abruptly be rated as an 8 when actually nothing has modified in regards to the neighborhood? The timber are all method up on the hills and the grass on the base is mowed again 30 ft. Our premium went up 500%!
Volunteer title / group: Carmen Balber, Shopper Watchdog
Reply: I am undecided what wildfire ranking you are referring to. Just a few issues have occurred just lately. CalFIRE just lately up to date state wildfire hazard maps for the primary time in additional than a decade. The dramatic change on these maps in some areas is basically resulting from the truth that 1)they have been so outdated and a pair of) local weather change has exacerbated excessive climate and the danger of wildfires has actually elevated. Nonetheless: these maps usually are not utilized by insurance coverage corporations so should not have an effect on your charges.
Viewer title: Kathy
Viewer query: I’m promoting my dwelling and transferring to Sacramento space. State Farm is not going to insure my new dwelling. How do I begin over with a brand new firm. How do I discover out which firm will insure the areas I’m trying?
Volunteer title / group: Dan Veroff / Merlin Regulation Group & United Policyholders
Reply: You could find out by contacting the insurance coverage corporations and brokers. You can too contact an unbiased insurance coverage dealer who can store a number of corporations for you and advise what is obtainable. Beginning over with a brand new firm is widespread nowadays, it’s not a tough course of, so long as you may truly discover corporations prepared to insure the property.
Viewer title: Nathy H.
Viewer query: I wish to know, charge for city dwelling prices per yr
Volunteer title / group: Cody Webb – Cuanto Consulting
Reply: Contact and unbiased agent or store for quotes on-line. The California Division of Insurance coverage additionally supplies a worth comparability device on-line.
Viewer title: Cameron
Viewer query: State Farm despatched us a non renewal discover on our house bldg final month with no particular motive. We now have had no luck getting a alternative coverage and do not need to resort to the California FAIR plan. What ought to we do? Thanks.
Volunteer title / group: Karson Kwan – Kwan Insurance coverage Companies
Reply: Each insurance coverage firm in California is required to supply a motive on the non-renewal discover that you just obtain. State Farm has been exiting the house constructing insurance coverage market in California for the previous couple of years. Relying on the place your house is positioned, you need to nonetheless be capable to get insurance coverage protection on your house constructing by quite a lot of different industrial insurance coverage carriers. Your greatest wager is to contact an unbiased insurance coverage agent that may store quite a lot of completely different insurance coverage carriers for you in your behalf.
Viewer title: Stormy P.
Viewer query: For these paying renters insurance coverage at an house, can we should be fearful about being dropped? It is changing into too widespread with owners.
Volunteer title / group: Cody Webb – Cuanto Consulting
Reply: It’s attainable some renters insurance policies might be dropped, however a lot much less possible than owners insurance policies. There are lots of cheap choices for renters insurance coverage, so I would not fear.
Viewer title: Kathy
Viewer query: I’m promoting my dwelling and transferring to Sacramento space. State Farm is not going to insure my new dwelling. How do I begin over with a brand new firm. How do I discover out which firm will insure the areas I’m trying?
Volunteer title / group: Dan Veroff / Merlin Regulation Group & United Policyholders
Reply: You could find out by contacting the insurance coverage corporations and brokers. You can too contact an unbiased insurance coverage dealer who can store a number of corporations for you and advise what is obtainable. Beginning over with a brand new firm is widespread nowadays, it’s not a tough course of, so long as you may truly discover corporations prepared to insure the property.
Viewer title: Rosemarie C.
Viewer query: Is there one thing else we have to do with our dwelling insurance coverage earlier than our demise separate from what’s in place in our Residing Belief?
Volunteer title / group: Karson Kwan – Kwan Insurance coverage Companies
Reply: If your property’s title is titled within the title of your belief, you need to attain out to your insurance coverage agent to learn how they’ll be sure that the belief listed in your title can be listed on your property insurance coverage coverage. Upon your demise, some insurance coverage carriers could require your successors to rewrite the house coverage to the title of the successor.
Viewer title: Rick Velez
Viewer query: What’s the easiest way to buy dwelling insurance coverage and auto insurance coverage? Is it attainable to mix suppliers? Appears extraordinarily tough to search out cheap insurance coverage choices
Volunteer title / group: Karson Kwan – Kwan Insurance coverage Companies
Reply: One of the simplest ways to buy dwelling & auto insurance coverage could be to contact an unbiased company that may store the charges in your behalf at a mess of carriers. The unbiased agent works for you, in your behalf, so they need to be working in your greatest curiosity to search out you the most effective mixture of charges & protection choices. Majority of the time, you should have higher luck discovering protection worth if you end up prepared to mix your property & auto insurance coverage suppliers, as it’ll end in a multi-policy bundle low cost. Your agent might be your greatest useful resource and advisor in relation to asking questions and offering you service as effectively.
Check out extra tales by 7 On Your Facet.
RELATED VIDEOS & STORIES:
Copyright © 2025 KGO-TV. All Rights Reserved.
