natural disaster insurance Archives

$1 Billion Plan to Stabilize The California FAIR Plan Insurance Program

February 13, 2025February 12, 2025 G. Turner

California FAIR Plan Insurance Program Stability plan

Funding the FAIR Plan Without Overburdening Californians To address the financial pressures caused by rising wildfire claims, the California FAIR Plan is set to receive a $1 billion financial boost. Announced by California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, this initiative balances the need for immediate stability with measures designed to protect policyholders from undue financial strain, ensuring essential support for wildfire recovery efforts continues. The FAIR Plan as a Safety Net The California FAIR Plan provides critical fire insurance coverage to homeowners and renters in high-risk wildfire zones who are unable…

The Roof Rule That’s Blocking Homebuyers Nationwide

February 5, 2025February 4, 2025 Nordstrom

Homebuyers Struggle to Navigate Insurance Obstacles with Older Roofs Buying a home is a major milestone, but for an increasing number of buyers, the road to homeownership is becoming more complicated. Across the country, insurance companies are tightening their underwriting requirements, and aging roofs are emerging as a significant hurdle. Many homebuyers are finding themselves caught in a frustrating cycle—unable to secure insurance policies that mortgages require for closing. This growing challenge is leaving buyers and sellers searching for creative solutions to keep deals intact. Why Are Insurers Focusing on…

State Farm Sounds the Alarm with Emergency Rate Hike—Here’s What Homeowners Need to Know

February 5, 2025February 5, 2025 Live Insurance News

State Farm’s Financial Struggles Amid Wildfire Claims California is no stranger to devastating wildfires, and the recent Palisades and Eaton fires in Los Angeles have once again highlighted the financial strain these natural disasters impose. This time, the repercussions are driving California’s largest homeowner insurance provider, State Farm General, to seek an emergency interim rate hike of 22%. The company says the increase is necessary to stabilize its finances after paying over $1 billion in claims related to the destruction caused by the fires. State Farm’s request, submitted to California’s…

What the Proposed Rate Hikes Mean for North Carolina Homeowners Insurance Policies

January 13, 2025January 13, 2025 Nordstrom

North Carolina Faces Rising Homeowners’ Insurance Rates Background on the Rate Increase Proposal North Carolina homeowners are bracing for a significant decision regarding a substantial proposed increase in homeowners’ insurance premiums. The North Carolina Rate Bureau (NCRB), representing private insurance companies, has requested an average statewide rate hike of 42.2%. Insurers argue that escalating costs due to natural disasters, repair expenses, and reinsurance premiums necessitate the increase. While the proposed hike averages 42.2%, coastal areas like Emerald Isle and Swansboro could see skyrocketing increases ranging from 71.4% to 99%. Meanwhile,…

USAA Ends Standalone “Pay as You Drive” Program Amid Changing Telematics Landscape

January 7, 2025January 7, 2025 G. Turner

Telematics in Insurance: A Growing Trend with Complex Challenges Telematics-based insurance has been at the forefront of innovation in recent years. Harnessing GPS and real-time data, telematics enables insurers to adjust premiums based on driving behaviors, offering personalized pricing models. The concept has gained traction as consumers seek fairer, usage-based policies while insurers explore ways to minimize risk and incentivize safe driving. USAA, a major player in the insurance industry, ventured into telematics by acquiring Noblr in 2021. Noblr’s core product revolved around the “Pay as You Drive” model, where…

Is your house and home insurance ready for a strong El Niño?

September 18, 2023September 16, 2023 Marc

The last time there was a similar El Niño event, the increased rainfall doubled claims at Mercury. As of this month, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a statement predicting a significant El Niño event, which has insurers bracing for increased home insurance claims. The conditions are already building, and strength is only expected to rise as winter gets nearer. El Niño is a type of abnormally warm Pacific Ocean temperature near the equator. When this happens, though the change in temperature may seem slight, the impact on…

Tornado insurance claims from Mississippi approaching $100 million

April 24, 2023April 22, 2023 Marc

The twister in March left a lengthy path of destruction through several parts of the state. The tornado insurance losses from the twister that ripped through parts of Mississippi in March are rapidly climbing, to the point that they are now nearing $100 million. Uninsured losses from the damage are expected to be even greater than those that are covered. The Mississippi Delta experienced particular damage from the storm, and it is among the poorest regions of the United States. As a result, tornado insurance coverage in the area hardest…