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CA is entering its final comment period for proposed homeowner insurance reforms. Here's how to weigh in
The Alisal Fire burns on Oct. 11, 2020.
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Courtesy Santa Barbara Fire Department
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Topline:
The California Department of Insurance is seeking public comment on a proposal that would require insurers to offer more coverage in areas with a high risk of wildfires.
The backstory: The state announced these regulations earlier this summer, and it's now entering its final phase before a decision is made about whether to adopt the rules.
What's in the proposal: Insurance companies would commit to offering more coverage in high-risk fire areas. The state would also start using forward-looking wildfire catastrophe modeling — pivoting from older models that set rates based on past fire risk. For more details about the proposed changes, see here.
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Why it matters: California's insurance crisis has worsened in recent years, with a number of factors at play. State insurance officials point to climate change, insurers leaving the market, and a lack of updated regulations as some of the reasons behind higher prices.
What the state has been doing: California has filled a hole in the market by offering state plans through its Fair Access to Insurance Requirements (FAIR) program. Due to their high price and limited coverage, these policies are meant as a last resort for customers who have no other options to meet state insurance requirements.
How to give your comment: Residents can email CDIRegulations@insurance.ca.gov with any written comments. The Department of Insurance will also accept comments at a virtual public hearing at 10 a.m. on September 17.
Go deeper: To read about just one of the factors affecting homeowner insurance prices, see here.
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