What rights do we have about home owners insurance getting cancelled for no reason other than they deemed it too risky? I live in a neighborhood in El Dorado Hills and my insurance company asked me to take photos and document my defensible space. My home is fully landscaped meeting all defensible space requirements.

I have a complaint filed with the California Insurance Commission. My insurance company sent a very threatening letter stating that my fence did not show "pride of ownership" and they would be cancelling my policy if the problem was not addressed. They did not specify which side of the house the fence needed repair and I did repairs at great expense in time and money to what eventually turned out to be the "wrong side". I requested clarification about the what specifically needed to be repaired with photos of the other side of the fence. The insurance company replied that the other side, which they initially wanted repaired, was okay and they would not be cancelling my policy. I believe the insurance company did an "about face" due only to the complaints I filed with the Insurance Commission. I believe the Insurance Companies doing business in California need to be held more accountable for their policies and the actions they take to intimidate their clients.

I own two homes near Lake Tahoe and one got the coverage cancelled and the other did not and they are right next to each other so I am thinking that I was with the insurer on the one that did not get cancelled for over 25 years and on the other for about 6 years so maybe that is why one got cancelled. Both are on small lots that we keep quite clean and with good defensible space ... so says Cal Fire who sends us notices when they do inspections. ..... Bob

My policy with State Farm was cancelled in 2015 after 40 years due to fire danger. . I was able to secure new homeowners insurance by bundling all of my policies with one company. Otherwise it would be Lloyds of London at 3x the current rate.

It is a crime that so many folks are getting cancelled - we all live in fear of that happening & there doesn’t seem to be a valid reason for doing this. I know folks who live on acreage that are being cancelled as well as those in a neighborhood with a typical lot size. You have to wonder what criteria they are using to justify can Ellington folks. Scary!

I was able to get insurance through Loyds Od London at about 70% higher than my previous rate at Nationwide, the. Ones who cancelled me after 30 years with no claims.

Homeowners need to understand the connection between forest health/defensible space and home insurance. I hear too many of my neighbors criticizing well planned forest health measures while other neighbors are having their home insurance canceled.

I have always been proactive about keeping my property clear. I had to buy 2 policies to replace the one that was cancelled. I am now paying over $3,000 per year.

One of the biggest issues is: I've spent thousands of dollars and invested lots of time in clearing my property (and it still needs more work), but many of my neighbors either don't care or they're elderly/sick and can't do the clearing themselves. As a County, we need more needs-based programs to help the truly indigent/elderly/infirm and more enforcement for those who are able to do the work, but just don't care. We had TWO homeowners insurance companies cancel on us in the past 3 years and are now with the CA Fair Plan; there should also be more education about the Fair Plan's availability and better cost.

State Farm indicated (about 2 years ago) they “grandfathered” us in and not to let our insurance premium lapse as they are not issuing new policies in our area. They continue to renew our policy and have not substantially raised rates. I am in fear though that this may not last and we will be canceled.

Several of my neighbors have followed all the clearance requirements then had their policies canceled anyway. What gives?

It would be great to have some resources for insurance needs with good and consistent information. I have heard many different stories and it seems to depend on which individual broker the information came from. I have heard that there are companies that may rate you depending on individual circumstances (distance to fire station, access to hydrants, etc.). I live in Garden Park(in Garden Valley) with two fire stations within a couple of miles from my house and a hydrant at the end of my driveway. I have not been able to find a company (other than the Fair Plan) that will insure my property, but have heard rumors that other people have found companies that will insure based on different factors. It would be great to have a place to get all of the correct information in one place. People have to largely rely on the experience of neighbors and word of mouth when (not if) the cancellation notice comes in the mail.

I’d like to see the state government regulate the cancellation and non-renewal of policies.

cancelled anyway....Nationwide is not on my side !!

My insurance has been canceled twice in last two years. I live in a forest atmosphere which is next to impossible for a defensible space.

Yes, I have had two friends who have lost their insurance due to not having enough defensible space. In addition, there rates went up and they already were living on a tight budget. I believe there should be some stipends available for families that have experienced a hardship with the new regulations. Insurance companies are just canceling policies.

Though my insurance company didn't cancel me or drastically raise my rates this year, I know some of my friends and family have been cancelled and forced to insure at a much hire rate, as much at triple what they were paying. I am pretty sure that my company will do the same thing to me when my policy is up for renewal in April 2020.

Two separate carriers have cancelled our home owners insurance in the past two years.

Our insurance was cancelled 2 years ago and will not be renewed at the end of August.

I don’t want to seem ignorant or too Polly Anna but it seems to me that my personal insurance did not cancel us because of our proximity to a fire hydrant across the street. How much does it cost to install additional fire hydrants? Should that be on the radar for new construction or remodels where possible?

I have done all of the defensible space requirements and the insurance company cancelled me anyway. The California unfair plan was my only option. Insurance tripled which is a difficult pill to swallow. It will drive us our of our homes.

I have gone over and beyond what has been requested of clearing my property. My insurance was cancelled and rewritten without the fire policy. I now have to go through California FAIR...LOL Doesn't seem fair at all to me...My fire insurance is now close to $3000/year. That really hurts!

Insurance companies should not be able to cancel your insurance without first giving homeowners the chance to meet the defensible space requirements. ALSO, the state of California should give us homeowners a tax break for the cost of tree and brush removal.

I haven't had my insurance canceled at this home but I did at my previous home. Allstate dropped us after having us as customers for almost 18 years. I purchased my current home in 2018. I had to shop A LOT before finding my policy with Farmers Insurance. The quotes I got from the California Fair Plan were over $3000 (1600 sq ft house on 1.5 acres in Grizzly Flats). I was thankful to find my policy with Farmers and hoping they continue to cover me!

I have had two rental property cancellations by Nationwide. Within the city limits.

they cancelled my insurance they said because of my goats, which doesn't make sense as my whole neighborhood is goats, chickens and cows. They I couldn't find another insurance company because I had prior claims 4 years ago which the pay out on was under $500. Our trampoline was picked up by the wind and slammed into our neighbors roof.