Insurers Face Flood Of Proposals to Cure Homeowner Affronts

By LAURENCE DARMIENTO

Staff Reporter

Sacramento lawmakers have responded to a host of underwriting practices that make it harder to obtain homeowners’ insurance. Half a dozen bills are pending in the Legislature, while Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi plans to issue new rules.

The moves follow reports in the Business Journal and other publications about homeowners being unable to get coverage or finding that their rates have skyrocketed after filing claims or simply making an inquiry about a loss.

Insurers are also grappling with investment losses, terrorism jitters and mold hysteria among homeowners.

Among the key complaints is the practice of companies classifying an inquiry as a claim even if the homeowner never formally files one.

Janine Gifford, a lobbyist with the Association of California Insurance Companies, defended the practice, maintaining that under current law companies may be obligated if inquiries turn into claims. State Sen. Jackie Speier, D-San Francisco, chairwoman of the insurance committee, has proposed a bill banning the practice.

Another complaint is the use of a shared database that compiles claims data. It allows insurance companies to track applicants’ risk history, but there are questions about its accuracy.

Garamendi, in an advisory notice set to be issued this month, would require companies to gather more information about any past claims before making underwriting decisions based on the data.