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Auggie

(31,177 posts)
Wed Jan 3, 2024, 02:50 PM Jan 2024

California's largest home insurer to hike rates this year

California’s largest home insurer will raise rates by a average of 20% this year.

The California Department of Insurance approved State Farm’s request to increase rates for policies that are being renewed, a State Farm spokesperson confirmed. The new rates take effect March 15.

“These rate changes are driven by increased costs and risk, and are necessary for State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company and State Farm General Insurance Company to deliver on the promises the companies make,” according to a State Farm statement regarding the increase.

Amy Bach, executive director of the consumer advocacy group United Policyholders, noted that the 20% change is a statewide average, meaning some people will see increases that are greater, and some less.

LINK (paywall): https://www.sfchronicle.com/california/article/home-insurance-state-farm-18585872.php

According to the link:

• State Farm stopped writing new California homeowner policies last May, a move the company attributed to wildfire risks, increasing construction costs and challenges with reinsurance.

• At 8.7% (as of 2022), State Farm held the largest market share in the state for property and casualty insurance.

• Farmers Insurance Company is second in terms of market share, and put a cap on new homeowners insurance policies in 2023.

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Yeah, there are risks, but there are also shareholder dividends to protect.

Climate change and capitalism do not mix.

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California's largest home insurer to hike rates this year (Original Post) Auggie Jan 2024 OP
Reccing for importance and to give myself something to do while screaming expletives in my mind. quaint Jan 2024 #1
I guess laughing at Floridians looks silly now. jimfields33 Jan 2024 #2
Insurance companies are the devil. BComplex Jan 2024 #3
regarding shareholder dividends... cojoel Jan 2024 #4
Thanks for sharing this ... Auggie Jan 2024 #5
Never let a good crisis go to waste. Like Covid and car dealers/manufactures raising costs mitch96 Jan 2024 #6

BComplex

(8,059 posts)
3. Insurance companies are the devil.
Wed Jan 3, 2024, 03:58 PM
Jan 2024

They have wormed their way into every aspect of our lives until they have become a huge% tax on our income.

cojoel

(957 posts)
4. regarding shareholder dividends...
Wed Jan 3, 2024, 04:50 PM
Jan 2024

From https://smallbusiness.chron.com/organizational-structure-state-farm-insurance-21636.html

State Farm is a mutual company, which means that the company is owned collectively by State Farm policyholders, and not by shareholders.

Auggie

(31,177 posts)
5. Thanks for sharing this ...
Wed Jan 3, 2024, 05:19 PM
Jan 2024

but there's still potential profit to be earned here (in addition to hedging risk).

From the link: When the company makes an operating profit for the year, the company can add cash to the reserve fund, or it can distribute a dividend to policy owners.

mitch96

(13,923 posts)
6. Never let a good crisis go to waste. Like Covid and car dealers/manufactures raising costs
Wed Jan 3, 2024, 06:21 PM
Jan 2024

way above what people can afford. Up/down, up/ down when it settles "they" will have reset the bar way higher than in the past.
Insurance companies will be happy.
Insurance company investors will be happy.
Insurance CEO's will be happy with the exorbitant bonuses they will get..
Follow they money..
m

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