Wildfires are becoming more common in rural Northern California, forcing many homeowners to rely on insurance companies of last resort, known as FAIR plans. This program serves people who are considered too high-risk to find insurance elsewhere.
A virtual home insurance town hall will be held in Humboldt County on February 22nd to discuss the “home insurance crisis.”
Since 2017, some homeowners have seen their premiums increase by 145% under their FAIR plans, according to CalMatters. The goal of Thursday's town hall is to address rising costs and shrinking insurance options.
“Many consumers are really frustrated, insurance companies are frustrated, and the Department of Insurance is trying to figure out a way to get through this,” said Yana Valakovic of the University of California Cooperative Extension Forest. This is the current situation.” Advisor for Humboldt and Del Norte Counties.
Second District Supervisor Michelle Bushnell said the situation in Humboldt County has gotten worse in recent years, pointing to voters who were unable to get fire insurance in downtown Fortuna.
“What I’m saying and what other supervisors and elected officials are saying. [officials] “They're saying to their fellow elected health commissioners, 'Please help us, we need help here,'” she said.
Town hall attendees can ask questions about how the state is addressing the insurance crisis and learn about emergency preparedness in their area. The online town hall will also include representatives from the California Department of Insurance, United Policyholders and CAL FIRE.
