The Growing Exodus: Insurance Companies Fleeing California

California has long been known for its ideal climate, beautiful scenery, and booming economic opportunities. However, in recent years, the Golden State has seen significant challenges emerge, including more frequent and devastating natural disasters, soaring home prices, and skyrocketing insurance costs. These issues have led an increasing number of insurance companies to stop offering policies in parts or all of California.

The Start of the Exodus

The insurance exodus from California began a few years ago but has rapidly accelerated over the past year. Some of the most notable exits include:

• State Farm – In 2022, the nation’s largest home insurer announced it would no longer write new policies in California due to rising wildfire risks and other factors.

• Allstate – The 4th largest home insurer in California stopped taking on new customers in 2022, also citing wildfires and rising costs.

• AAA – This major auto and home insurer stopped writing new policies in certain high-risk wildfire zones in 2022.

• Kemper – In late 2022, 4 Kemper subsidiaries announced they would not renew home and auto policies in California starting in 2024.

• Mercury Insurance – California’s 5th largest home insurer announced in late 2022 that it would not renew up to 20% of home insurance policies in high wildfire risk areas.

• Liberty Mutual – The insurer stopped writing new home policies in parts of California in 2021 and has continued reducing exposure.

Key Factors Driving the Exodus

Several key factors are driving this mass exodus of insurers from California:

Wildfires

• California has experienced more devastating wildfires in recent years.
• Insurers have paid out billions in claims from major fires.
• Climate change is expected to worsen fire risks going forward.
• Many insurers are unwilling to take on the increasing uncertainty.

Rising Reinsurance Costs

• Insurers purchase reinsurance to help cover claims during major disasters.
• Reinsurance rates have risen sharply in California due to wildfires.
• In turn, insurers must raise rates or exit unprofitable markets.

Soaring Home Prices

• California home values have jumped dramatically in recent years.
• This has increased rebuild costs following disasters.
• Insurers must charge higher premiums to match the risk.

Regulatory Environment

• California has imposed new regulations on insurers, including bans on using certain risk models.
• Insurers claim state policies have further increased costs.
• Some insurers prefer to exit rather than operate under new rules.

By the Numbers: Insurance Companies Exiting

While the exodus continues, by recent estimates:

• At least 20 major insurers have scaled back or stopped offering new policies in parts or all of California.

• These insurers represent over 25% of California’s home insurance market.

• Over 1 million policyholders have already been directly impacted.

• Tens of thousands more are slated to lose coverage in coming months as insurers continue to downsize.

Hardest Hit Communities

The impacts are being felt statewide, but certain communities are bearing the brunt of the insurance withdrawals:

• High wildfire risk zones – Insurers are retreating from areas with greater wildfire exposure.

• Inland counties – Locations farther from the coast have fewer options as more insurers pull out.

• Lower-income areas – Budget-conscious consumers have less access to affordable coverage.

• Rural communities – Smaller towns are getting left behind as insurers consolidate.

• New homebuyers – First-time owners are scrambling to secure required insurance.

Ripple Effects for California Homeowners

The ripple effects from the insurance exodus are significant for California homeowners:

• Reduced choice – Fewer insurers means less competition and choice for consumers.

• Higher premiums – Loss of major insurers leaves smaller regional firms able to charge higher rates.

• Fewer discounts – Insurers are cutting back on discounts for mitigation efforts like fireproof roofs.

• Less coverage – Many remaining insurers are capping policy limits or excluding certain types of claims.

• More uninsured – Some homeowners are being forced to go without insurance despite the risks.

Efforts by Regulators to Stabilize Market

Facing pressure from homeowners, California regulators have taken some steps attempting to slow the insurance exodus:

• Added consumer protections for wildfire survivors, including increased payouts.

• Required insurers to provide discounts to homeowners who complete mitigation.

• Banned insurers from dropping customers strictly based on wildfire risk models.

• Created the FAIR Plan as an insurer of last resort for homeowners who can’t find coverage.

• Encouraged new private market entrants to backfill major insurers leaving.

So far these actions have not been enough to reverse the insurance industry’s retreat. The market remains unstable with more disruption likely unless conditions improve.

Potential Long-Term Solutions

In the long run, experts suggest several measures could help stabilize insurance availability in California:

• Aggressive wildfire prevention and mitigation efforts to reduce risks.

• Changes to building codes requiring fire-resistant materials and defensible space.

• Limits on new construction in very high-risk wildfire zones.

• Exploring alternative risk transfer options beyond traditional reinsurance.

• Rethinking land use policies that have led to development in fire-prone areas.

• Better aligning insurance pricing with actual wildfire risks based on location.

• Offering state subsidies or reinsurance support for insurers willing to bear more risk.

The Path Forward

California faces immense challenges in balancing housing needs, wildfire risks, insurance industry concerns, and homeowner affordability. There are no quick or simple fixes. But continuing the status quo puts millions of residents in financial jeopardy.

With constructive solutions, California can work to build a more sustainable, equitable, and affordable insurance market focused on wildfire risk mitigation. But it will require unprecedented collaboration between lawmakers, regulators, insurers, and communities. The clock is ticking to make progress before the insurance availability crisis worsens.