the design studio of Sheryl Drinkwater, Architect
After receiving a non-renewal notice from Safeco late last year (2023), I contacted my insurance broker.
They were very limited in the companies they could request a policy from, didn't explain what was happening other than saying that all their insurers denied me coverage, and pushed me toward the CA Fair Plan.
The reason for the non-renewal: my property is in a location that is considered too densely concentrated!
Amico Insurance, my NEW agent says they may have been one of the few writing policies in California, but they will not write in the VHFHSZ I learned.
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Get organized, obtain information, and look at my situation more closely:
-New insurance rep, what is ‘proactive’?
-I have never filed a claim.
-Changed insurance recently
-Did not have bundled insurance.
-No mortgage
-State has been mandating density (ie ADUs) while insurance companies are not on board and are giving that exact reason for non-renewal.
-Core Logic, Zesty.ai, and or other mapping risk score tools, can a property owner request data?
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CoreLogic link for homeowners to see how their homes may be assessed by an insurance company
https://www.corelogic.com/insurance/hazard-risk-solutions/wildfire-mitigation-score/
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Zesty.ai
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§ 2644.9. Consideration of Mitigation Factors; Wildfire Risk Models
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Commissioner Lara unveils next steps in his strategy to expand coverage options for Californians in areas of high wildfire risk
https://www.insurance.ca.gov/0400-news/0100-press-releases/2024/release023-2024.cfm
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Seek help: Contact the CDI Consumer Hotline at 1-800-927-4357 or file complaints online for assistance.
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United Policyholders [uphelp.org] advocacy, not one-on-one attention. Good monthly "support' meetings
https://uphelp.org/preparedness/wrap-resource-center/
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Insurance For Good​
https://www.insuranceforgood.org/blog/do-ca-insurers-reward-wildfire-resilience
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​More articles
https://www.insurance.ca.gov/01-consumers/105-type/95-guides/03-res/index.cfm
https://sfstandard.com/2024/01/23/the-hartford-insurance-crisis-california-homeowners-policies/
https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/west/2024/03/20/765883.htm
https://calmatters.org/economy/2024/01/california-fire-insurance-2/
https://abc7news.com/fair-plan-california-insurance-homeowners-fire/12050142/​
https://www.sfchronicle.com/projects/2024/ca-statefarm-nonrenewal-map/ (may have paywall)
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Ten things to know about fire insurance
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIz2BAxupLQ
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CA Insurance Commission List of Insurers
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