After reliably obtaining homeowners insurance on the voluntary market for more than 30 years, Laurence Stewart’s coverage was not renewed last year due to high fire risk.
Since then, she’s been forced to purchase insurance from the FAIR plan, California’s insurer of last resort, at triple the cost for substantially diminished coverage.
“When you’re retired, it’s just terrible,” Stewart said at the time. “I’m sure next year it’s just going to be more expensive.”
This month Stewart’s prediction came true when FAIR plan president Anneliese Jivan announced its rates would increase statewide by an average of 15% starting Jan. 1, with rates in rural areas expected to increase even more. The insurer just under two years ago increased rates by an average of 20%.