One of the biggest complaints I hear from homeowners after suffering a property insurance loss emerges out of the insurer’s “cancellation” or failure to renew the policy after the loss occurs. After suffering a loss, the thought of trying to get new insurance while the loss has not been completely resolved is a devastating and stressful blow to an insured. Purchasing new insurance while a loss has not been fully remediated and repaired is expensive and difficult.

Continue Reading Cancellation of Homeowner’s Insurance After a Loss

Late last June, a stream of lava flow from the Kilauea volcano began to flow on Hawaii’s Big Island. By late October, the lava was threatening to destroy homes. Now residents of the Big Island are fighting back and asking for the State of Hawaii’s help because their homeowners insurance coverage has been canceled. The reason listed: the Puna Lava flow.

The lava flow near Pahoa on Hawaii, seen on November 2, 2014 as it approaches the town.

Continue Reading Policy Non-renewed: Lava Flow Coverage Issues in Hawaii

Several weeks ago, California Governor Jerry Brown signed a consumer protection bill (Assembly Bill No. 1804) that will allow more policyholders to designate a back-up contact to receive notices from their insurance companies when adverse actions are taken due to nonpayment of premiums.

Continue Reading California Homeowners Can Soon Designate a Back-up Contact to Help Avoid Insurance Policy Lapses

All too often, policyholders contact us when their residential or commercial carriers send a notice that they will no longer provide insurance coverage. It is critically important that all insureds understand the major difference between an insurance company canceling a current policy and a notice of non-renewal. Every policyholder should carefully study any written notifications about changes or potential changes in insurance coverage so they understand the insurance company’s actions.

Continue Reading Carolina Coverage: Help! My Insurance Company Wants to Drop Me

Last week I blogged about how rain-induced mudslides are of concern to homeowners who live in wildfire burn areas. For those who live in high risk fire areas, another concern is the possibility that the policy insuring the property will not be renewed by the insurance company. In California, there are no laws that prohibit an insurer from non-renewing a homeowner’s policy.1

Continue Reading Non-Renewal of Homeowner Policies in California