How the California fires might affect your homeowners' insurance rates

The fires, which began this past Tuesday in Los Angeles, California have shown no remorse.

Lauren Del Valle

Jan 10, 2025, 10:45 PM

Updated 3 hr ago

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Rick McClatchie, an insurance broker with Wm. E Morrell Insurance, spoke with News 12 about rising homeowners insurance amidst the California fires.
The fires, which began this past Tuesday in Los Angeles, California have shown no remorse.
Decades old houses, multigenerational families, and wildlife have all been altered permanently.
McClatchie says that even the East Coast will start to feel these effects.
"I don't see how they couldn't. There's going to be less companies now that are willing to write business moving forward. So, the couple that do want to write business...the prices are going to be astronomical," he said. "[The] consumer has to be more nimble right now because more and more companies are restricting the allowance of writing homeowners' insurance or pulling out completely."
McClatchie says the East Coast's biggest problem is wind loss.
He adds a good practice is to thoroughly review the homeowner insurance policy, and to make sure you're aware of any changes that might affect it.