Unraveling the Web of Mass Insurance Non-Renewals in El Dorado County

In El Dorado County, a concerning trend of mass insurance non-renewals is unfolding, prompting questions about the swift exodus of insurance companies from the region.

Have you delved into the El Dorado County Ordinance Update regarding defensible space? Understanding this law is pivotal, as property owners bear the responsibility of safeguarding their properties and upholding defensible space regulations, lest they face fines, county cleanup expenses, or liens against their properties.

As a property owner myself, I grasp the importance of property maintenance. My diligent efforts include meticulously trimming trees, maintaining a 0-5 foot dead zone around the house, the 30’ grass, rock and cement, area and the 100’ area, as well as installing covered gutters, and adhering to the 1/8” mesh home ventilation requirements.  The rules are overwhelming.  Moreover, I’ve invested in professional mastication of my property, amounting to $5,400.  There is two fire hydrants within 1000’ of the property, the fire department is 1 mile away and the USFS and Cal Fire headquarters are located 3 miles away. 

Despite meticulous compliance, my homeowner’s insurance with Farmers has been non-renewed.  Despite everything that has been done we are not insurable.  It isn’t just Farmers either.  I contacted every insurance agency that writes insurance, and this zip code will not be written.  They won’t even look at the property.   This raises eyebrows, especially when even stringent adherence to regulations leads to forced enrollment in the state’s costly Fair Plan, where insurance premiums are inflated by insurance companies, capitalizing on perceived risk.  To me this is a way to line the pockets of Insurance companies.   It isn’t about risk, it is about bolstering profits.   They already do this in Hurricane territory in Florida.  I wonder if tornado alley is next? 

Insurance Companies are Banding Together to take advantage of home owners to boost their profits

The issues extend beyond individual properties. The county-maintained roads leading to residences are often neglected, overgrown with brush and debris, contradicting the same defensible space standards imposed on homeowners. This double standard serves as a loophole for insurance companies to justify non-renewals, citing concerns about road accessibility during wildfires. 

Recognizing this disparity, one can’t help but see it as a rigged system benefiting various stakeholders at the expense of homeowners. The burden falls on property owners to ensure compliance, facing fines and restrictions on property sales, while the county fails to uphold its end of the bargain.

It’s evident that this situation is a profit-driven cycle, with insurance companies, forestry mastication firms, and even utility companies like PG&E capitalizing on escalating costs and regulatory loopholes. Meanwhile, residents face escalating utility rates, bureaucratic inefficiencies, and a daunting exodus from the state.

In the face of a mounting deficit, porous borders, and mismanaged funds, it’s clear that the current governance lacks control and resorts to burdensome taxation as a solution.

In essence, the situation in El Dorado County underscores a tangled web of interests, highlighting the urgent need for accountability, fairness, and effective governance.