California considers new rules for property insurance pricing
Requiring insurance companies to write more policies in
high-risk areas. Currently, insurance companies are allowed to redline certain
areas, meaning they can refuse to write policies there. Lara's proposal would
require companies to write a certain percentage of their policies in high-risk
areas, such as those prone to wildfires.
Creating a statewide insurance pool. This pool would be made
up of all insurance companies operating in California. It would be responsible
for covering losses in high-risk areas where companies are unwilling to write
policies.
Limiting the amount that insurance companies can raise
rates. Currently, insurance companies can raise rates by up to 10% per year
without approval from the state. Lara's proposal would limit rate increases to
5% per year.
These reforms are aimed at making property insurance more
affordable and accessible for Californians. The state has experienced a number
of major wildfires in recent years, which have led to billions of dollars in
losses. As a result, many insurance companies have been raising rates or
refusing to write policies in certain areas.
Lara's proposal has been met with mixed reactions. Insurance
companies argue that the reforms will make it more difficult and expensive for
them to operate in California. Consumer advocates argue that the reforms are
necessary to protect homeowners from rising rates and limited coverage options.
The California legislature is expected to consider Lara's proposal in 2024.
In addition to the reforms proposed by Lara, there are a few
other things that can be done to make property insurance more affordable and
accessible in California. These include:
Mitigating wildfire risk. This includes things like clearing
brush and debris from around homes, creating defensible spaces, and hardening
homes against wildfires.
Creating a state-run insurance company. This could provide
an alternative to private insurance companies for homeowners in high-risk
areas.
Subsidizing insurance costs for low-income homeowners. This
would help to make insurance more affordable for those who need it most.
Comments
Post a Comment