News
15 US states where homeowners are more likely to be at risk from hurricane damage
3+ hour, 16+ min ago (381+ words) For a lot of homeowners, summer means more than vacations " it also means staying vigilant during hurricane season. A problem most associated with Southern states hugging the Gulf Coast, like Florida and Texas, hurricanes also pose a serious threat to…...
How to prepare for a huge disaster when you live in a tiny apartment
1+ week, 6+ day ago (602+ words) It often feels like we're on the brink of disaster: Diseases lurk behind every corner and global instability threatens the economy. But beyond the doomsday scenarios, it's important to be prepared for more practical reasons: Extreme weather events, for example,…...
State Farm CEO is betting big on AI'and contemplating the company's future in California
2+ week, 1+ day ago (333+ words) In today's CEO Daily: Diane Brady interviews State Farm CEO John Farney on the tough economics of insurance. The big leadership story: What Cerebras' mega debut means for more AI listings The markets: In the red as investors track developments…...
Senate committee kills bill mandating insurance coverage for wildfire safe homes
1+ mon, 1+ week ago (732+ words) A bill that would have required insurers to offer coverage to homeowners who take steps to reduce wildfire risk on their property died in the Legislature. The Senate Insurance Committee on Monday voted down the measure, SB 1076, one of the…...
California utility bills are 20% higher due to wildfires
1+ mon, 2+ week ago (616+ words) The escalating cost of wildfires now adds $41 to the average monthly power bill for residential customers of California's largest utility, according to a government report. The report calls for a systemic overhaul of how the state responds to conflagrations as…...
Homeowners don't want to move. It's a big deal for their shrinking backyards.
4+ mon, 1+ week ago (816+ words) The shrinking American backyard is getting even smaller, and it partly has to do with mortgage rates. The bygone rates of the early 2020s " the last time they were below 3 percent " have had a powerful hold on their owners, who are…...
L. A. City ignored fire safety as it permitted development in high risk areas, lawsuit alleges
4+ mon, 4+ week ago (769+ words) The City of Los Angeles repeatedly ignored state wildfire safety regulations as it permitted new development in areas with severe fire hazards, a lawsuit filed Dec. 23 in the L. A. County Superior Court alleges. The lawsuit, brought by the State Alliance for…...
Courts rejects bid to beef up policies issued by California's home insurer of last resort
5+ mon, 6+ day ago (827+ words) Retired nurse Nancy Reed has been through the ringer trying to get insurance for her home next to a San Diego County nature preserve. First, she was dropped by her longtime carrier and forced onto the state's insurer of last…...
America's mobile housing affordability crisis reveals a system where income determines exposure to climate disasters
5+ mon, 2+ week ago (548+ words) Picture this: You're looking to buy a place to live, and you have two options. Option A is a beautiful home in California near good schools and job opportunities. But it goes for nearly a million dollars " the median California…...
Zillow's short-sighted move to overlook climate risk
5+ mon, 2+ week ago (1081+ words) Earlier this month, the real-estate listing site Zillow ended a subtle social experiment. In 2024, they began to embed climate risk data directly in their property profiles, scoring a home's future risks from flood, wildfire, wind, heat, and air quality on…...