State Farm has a new claims process involving appraisal. The problem for many policyholders is that it is often resulting in payment for amounts less than the appraisal panel decided—sometimes, nothing is paid. Continue Reading Why Has State Farm Stopped Paying Appraisal Awards?
CAPIA, the California Association of Public Insurance Adjusters, held its annual meeting last week, and I was fortunate enough to be given an opportunity to attend. Along with meeting some of the finest policyholder advocates in the state, there were multiple informational and thought-provoking presentations related to the industry. Continue Reading Timing of Loss Computation, Your Policy, and the California Insurance Code
Last week, I blogged about how California’s Department of Insurance issued a one-year moratorium to insurance companies to stop their practice of non-renewing and cancelling homeowner’s insurance coverage for policyholders living near major wildfires.1 But what if your carrier sent you a cancellation just prior to the moratorium – does the moratorium apply retroactively to restore your coverage? Continue Reading Is California’s Moratorium on Insurance Policy Non-Renewals or Cancellations Retroactive?
To round out our discussion of pertinent updates in 2021 California legislation, this post highlights Assembly Bill 2756. (In case you missed it, check out our previous blog posts on Senate Bill 872 and Assembly Bill 3012.) Continue Reading 2021 California Legislative Update: Assembly Bill 2756
This updates new California legislation in anticipation of another season of devastating wildfires. California is in drought once again. Summer has just begun and there has already been record-setting heat. Although California has been spared so far, wildfires are expected to continue to run rampant through California as it continues to heat up and dry out. The anticipated wildfires are expected to bring an influx of for out-of-state insurance adjusters into California to handle the insurance claim volume. It is safe to assume that out of state adjusters will not be up to speed with 2021 changes in California insurance law. As a policyholder advocate, you can add value to any claim by simply staying current on the rapidly changing California Insurance Code and applying it to your claim representation. Continue Reading 2021 California Legislative Update: Senate Bill 872
If you’re a repeat reader of the Property Insurance Coverage Law Blog, you have likely come across a reference to one of Bill Wilson’s most important policy interpretation doctrines: RTFP!1 or “Read the full policy.” But what happens when you encounter a conflict not contemplated in the policy? Or worse yet, are not aware that consumer protections exist that can assist claim handling and broaden or clarify coverage? Continue Reading 2021 California Legislative Update: Assembly Bill 3012
Wildfires are ravaging California again. Climate change coupled with a prolonged heat wave and a rare summer lightening storm have lit up multiple parts of the State. The fires are hitting numerous populated areas. Homes and business are being destroyed. Unfortunately, this appears to be the new norm. Due to the increase in fire disasters, California has acted to amend the law to increase property insurance protection. Continue Reading California Wildfires Strike Again – A Summary of Changes in the Law to Help Policyholders
California Congressman Mike Thompson has filed a bill to help some business owners with business income policies collect benefits for Covid-19-related losses from their insurers.1 Here is a quote from Representative Thompson’s press release explaining his reasons for filing this federal legislation: Continue Reading Will Recently Filed Federal Legislation for the Covid Closed Business Policyholder Have A Possibility Of Passage?
Due to the extensive loss and damage that wildfires have caused to California insureds in the last several years, the legislature has continued to pass changes to the law that benefit policyholders. We are only a little more than a quarter through 2020 and the legislature continues to focus on expanding policyholders’ rights. Continue Reading California Legislature Introduces Even More Policyholder Friendly Legislation and Regulations
Wildfires have ravaged California the last several years. In addition to the devastation caused, the wildfires have also brought unfair property insurance terms and insurance carriers’ claim practices to light. Fortunately for California policyholders, the legislature has addressed some of these issues, which we have featured in prior blog posts. The California Assembly has already, in 2020, introduced some new legislation that will be friendly to policyholders. It is contained in Assembly Bill No. 182 and is summarized as follows: Continue Reading California Assembly Introduces More Policyholder Friendly Legislation