By Shelby Danley
Recently there has been some concern amongst Modocers regarding homeowners insurance policies, particularly with Nationwide. According to one community member, “Many people have received notices from Nationwide telling them to fix issues on their homes or lose their homeowners coverage. Some of these issues are more cosmetic than safety or fire hazard issues. I never heard of any insurance company coming onto your property and making a list of repairs for the homeowner” they wrote in.
According to local insurance sources, due to the area we live and risk of wildfire in California, this is becoming a more common practice by many companies; not limited to Nationwide. Inspectors have been known to visit properties prior to policies being issued, to assess any potential risks the property may pose, and with the increase in fires over the years insurance companies are becoming more aware of any potential risks that could cause damage that they would have to pay for. Bill Madison with Modoc Insurance Services shared that “insurance companies are conducting more inspections to determine if the buildings they insure meet their underwriting guidelines”.
It is also becoming more common that these companies are using drones; which allows for conducting property inspections more remotely, and they use the footage to determine things that may need to be corrected or repaired by an insured. However, there is no knowledge of this happening within Modoc County. While there have been some non-renewal notices sent out in Modoc, it is important to note that these don’t necessarily mean your policy is terminated immediately. When an insured receives a notice of non-renewal for “need of paint”, for example, that non-renewal typically gives a “grace period”, usually at least 90 days, to make any necessary repairs. If a homeowner is unwilling, or unable to do so, they risk losing coverage. There are several companies non-renewing policies they have in high risk wildfire areas, and unfortunately that does include areas of Modoc County.
Another concern seems to be the speculation of Nationwide working its way out of California entirely by 2025, and they are not the only company that has been thought to be doing this. At this time no local sources are aware, or have not been notified of this happening. The hope would be that agencies all over the state would be made aware, in order to give agents time to work with their policyholders to find new coverage. Homeowners insurance has become increasingly difficult to obtain as the years go on, and insurance companies are more in tune to risk to their company.
While the concerns of Modocers are understandable, it’s important to recognize that these practices are not exclusive to Nationwide but are now common across the industry. As insurers face increasing risks, especially in states like California, they are becoming more stringent in their evaluations and requirements. Homeowners are advised to stay proactive in maintaining their properties to meet standards, and to keep in touch with their agent to stay informed about their options.
If you have Nationwide homeowners Insurance in Modoc and are amongst those who received one of these letters, please reach out to the Record via email or phone and share your experience.
