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California homeowners face 34% increase in Allstate premiums

It's the latest insurer to win a big increase in premiums

September 3, 2024

California has approved a 34% increase in homeowners insurance premiums, affecting more than 350,000 policyholders. State Farm is seeking a 30% increase but that request is still pending.

Allstate is the sixth-largest insurer in the state. Itstopped writing new California homeowners insurance policies in November 2022, but as part of the latest increase it agreed not to make any more mass nonrewals through the end of January.

"This home insurance rate approval allows us to continue protecting our existing customers as we work with the California Department of Insurance to improve coverage availability and create a more viable and sustainable homeowners insurance market for consumers in the state," Allstate said in a statement.

The company cited higher home values and repair costs and more severe weather as causes of the rate increase.

Itg's not alone. Many California home insurers have pulled back from the market and sought rate increases in recent years, citing the rising severity of wildfires and other factors.

The rising costs and nonrenewals have created a crisis in California's housing market. Homeowners are finding it hard to sell properties that lack insurance or have extremely high premiums.

The problem's not confined to California. Homeowners in other sunbelt states that are prone to hurricanes and other natural disasters are also facing skyrocketing premiums and nonrenewals.

Tue, 03 Sep 2024 11:42:33 +0000

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Summer will be back before you know it -- get ready now to beat the heat

Summer is starting to fade in some parts of the country but memories of the record-breaking heat will linger for awhile

August 22, 2024

They say you cant do anything about the weather but there are ways to deal with it. Take heat, for example. Last summer was the hottest on record and 2024 looks to be hotter still, driving most of us to crank down the thermostat and keep the air conditioning blasting away.

This works, at least for a while, but its very expensive and contributes not only to global warming but also to power outages, as the nations aging electrical grid struggles to keep up with demand.

Okay, pretty much everyone accepts that. But what can we do about it? There are some actions individuals can take and others that must be left up to government and institutions.

What can an individual do? There are several partial solutions. Each carries a cost but can also save money over time and contribute to a healthier environment for everybody.

Transitioning to renewable energy, such as solar, can break air conditioning's current feedback loop, in which running the AC all the time uses more energy and blasts hot air out into the surrounding neighborhood.

Rooftop solar is now pretty well established as a workable solution in many areas of the country. After the initial installation, it can cut monthly utility bills and take some of the pressure off local utilities.

What to watch out for

There are some traps to avoid. Some solar energy companies have made misleading promises to homeowners and some utilities have grabbed a big share of the savings that should flow to consumers, with the help of the state agencies that regulate them.

A recent report from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) found that some residential solar lenders are misleading homeowners about the terms and costs of their loans, misrepresenting the energy savings they will deliver, and cramming markup fees into borrowers loan balances.

With sweltering heat across America this summer, many families are installing solar panels to save on energy costs to cool their home, said CFPB Director Rohit Chopra. The CFPB is closely scrutinizing solar lenders to make sure that Americans don't get burned.

The report describes how fees often increase loan costs by 30% or more above the cash price, and that lenders often misrepresent the impact of the federal tax credit for solar installations. These loans are generally facilitated by lenders in partnership with solar installers and door-to-door sales companies.

Consumers have been eager to switch to solar in recent years and solar energy now represents 55% of new electricity generating capacity. But its not cheap. The average residential solar project costs $25,000, and federal tax credits currently cover approximately 30% of the installation cost.

Fifty-eight percent of solar projects were paid through loans in 2023 through a variety of lenders. Its important for homeowners to be sure they understand how much tax credit they can expect, what their monthly bill is likely to be and whether they are getting the right financing.

As in any major purchase, it pays to shop around. There are multiple vendors in almost every market and theres no reason not to get estimates from two or three of them.

What else?

What else can individuals do to deal with excessive heat? Here are a few of the more obvious examples, drawn from energy.gov, ttia.ca, michigansaves.org and other impartial and authoritative sources.

• Upgraded insulation Improving the insulation in your home saves energy costs and increases comfort in both hot and cold weather. Just added a layer of insulation to your attic is the easiest and most cost effective solution.
• New windows Replacing your windows can add insulation protection and also shield you and your possessions from damaging UV rays, which can cause potentially fatal skin cancer and harm furniture.
• Use blinds and curtains Blinds and heavy curtains can block the suns rays during the day, helping to cool your home and blocking damaging UV rays.
• Change your schedule Excessive heat is dangerous and uncomfortable. If you can do outdoor chores during the early morning and early evening, it will be more comfortable and less likely to make you sick.

Reduce Heat Gain

• Block Sunlight:

  • Close curtains, blinds, and shades, especially on windows facing the sun.

  • Consider installing awnings or exterior shades for additional sun protection.

  • Plant trees or shrubs to provide natural shade.

• Improve Insulation:

  • Make sure your attic and walls are well insulated to minimize heat transfer.

  • Seal any air leaks around windows, doors, and other openings.

• Reduce Internal Heat Sources:

  • Use appliances like ovens, dishwashers, and dryers during cooler hours.

  • Switch to LED light bulbs, which produce less heat than traditional incandescent bulbs.

  • Turn off electronics when not in use.

Optimize Cooling

• Set Thermostat Strategically:

  • Set your thermostat a few degrees higher than normal when you're at home and awake.

  • Increase the temperature further when you're away or asleep.

  • Consider using a programmable thermostat for automatic adjustments.

• Use Fans Effectively:

  • Ceiling fans can help circulate cool air and create a wind-chill effect.

  • Use bathroom and kitchen fans to remove heat and humidity.

  • Consider using window fans to draw in cool air at night and exhaust warm air during the day.

• Maintain HVAC System:

  • Change air filters regularly to ensure optimal airflow.

  • Have your HVAC system serviced annually to ensure it's running efficiently.

Additional Tips

• Cook Outside: Grilling or cooking outdoors can help reduce heat build-up in your kitchen.

• Take Cooler Showers: Shorter and cooler showers can save water and reduce energy used for water heating.

• Air-Dry Clothes: Hanging clothes to dry instead of using a dryer can save significant energy.

• Unplug Appliances: Many appliances and electronics draw power even when turned off, so unplug them when not in use.

• Plant a tree or two: Trees provide cooling shade and produce oxygen, which helps clean the air.

Remember, every little bit helps. By implementing a combination of these strategies, you can significantly reduce energy consumption and keep your home more comfortable during heat waves.

Thu, 22 Aug 2024 10:58:40 +0000

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How to blur your home on Google Maps to deter burglars

It might prevent thieves from casing your place online

August 21, 2024

Burglaries and home invasions are increasing in some large cities but residents of upscale neighborhoods have devised a creative way to make it harder for criminals to target their homes.

They have found a way to blur the image of their home on Google Maps, in particular Google Street View. If the criminals cant see their home they may be less likely to target it.

"I've never even heard of that, and I think it's a great idea," Officer Ryan Railsback, of the Riverside, Calif., Police Department, told ABC 7 in Los Angeles. "Criminals are coming up with new and innovative ways to do their job, so we need to be up on how to do ours."

You dont have to be a graphic artist or tech wizard to alter your homes image in Google Maps. First, find your home on Google Maps by entering your address.

Next, click on the photograph of your house in the upper left corner of the screen. That will produce a full-screen image of your home.

At the bottom right corner of the full-screen image, in small print, click on report a problem.

That will open a page entitled Report an inappropriate Street View. Below the photograph there is a section entitled Request blurring, with the options:

• A face

• My home

• My vehicle/license plate

Select My home and answer the rest of the questions on the page.

You can do much the same thing on real estate sites that display images of your home. In 2022 we wrote this story that tells you how to make your home less visible on the internet.

Gary Guthrie provided graphics for this article

Wed, 21 Aug 2024 16:46:02 +0000

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Buyers beware: New rules set to shake up real estate industry

Consumers gain new power but have to know how to use it

August 14, 2024

New rules are set to shake up the real estate industry starting August 17, bringing significant changes for both home buyers and sellers. As the National Association of Realtors (NAR) adapts to recent litigation settlements, two major changes stand out: sellers will no longer be required to compensate buyer agents, and buyers must now sign contracts specifying their agent's compensation.

Mon, 19 Aug 2024 11:30:35 +0000

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This infant sleepwear may get banned after babies died

There are 3,500 sleep-related infant deaths a year

August 7, 2024

A new bill in Congress would ban weighted sleep products for babies following warnings that the sleepwear is killing infants.

Weighted sleep products, including blankets, swaddles and sleep sacks, are similar to mini sleeping bags, but their added weight can calm babies and lull them to sleep faster. The added weight can range from a few ounces to 1.5 pounds. Many parents swear by them.

But3,500 sleep-related infant deaths happen every year in the U.S. that weightedsleepwear iscontributing to, the American Academy of Pediatrics said in 2022.

The AAP says the products can increase the risk of suffocation, make it difficult for babies to wake up and pressure their underdeveloped rib cages that could affect breathing and heart rate.

There is also not enough research on whetherweighted sleepwear is safe or how it could be used safely, especially when babies are left alone, the AAP says.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have also warned parents that weighted sleep products are dangerous.

Amazon, Babylist, Target, Nordstrom and Walmart have already stopped selling weighted sleep products.

Now, Democrats Senator Richard Blumenthal and representativesTony Crdenas and Kim Schrier have introduced the Safeguarding Infants from Dangerous Sleep Acton Monday that would ban thebaby sleepwear.

Experts agree that weighted sleep sacks and swaddles are downright dangerousrestricting babies movements and putting pressure on their chests that potentially impact their breathing, Blumenthal said in a statement. "The stakes are simply too high to allow weighted infant sleep sacks and swaddles to stay on the market without evidence that they are safe.

The two big companies

Dreamland Baby and Nested Bean are the two biggest manufacturers of weighted sleep products. Dreamland Baby's founder was inspired when she found that a heavy throw blanket quickly calmed her son, while Nested Bean's founder says she could help her son stay asleep by placing her hand on his chest.

In April, Senator Blumenthal wrote a letter tothe Federal Trade Commission calling on the agency to investigate alleged deceptive advertising practices of Dreamland Baby and Nested Bean, saying the companies were making broad, unproven claims about that the safety of their infant sleepwear.

"The tests and standards the companies tout refer to garment construction, fabric quality, and chemical detection standards, not to weighted sleep product safety," he said.

But a Nested Bean spokesperson told ConsumerAffairs thatregulators and politicians are unfairly targeting weighted infant sleep products without providing evidence they are dangerous.

Nested Bean has sold more than 2.5 million products since 2011 and has a record of zero deaths in "official reports,"the spokesperson said.

"This 'regulate-first data-never'mandate undermines the ingenuity and proven safety record of our products that have benefited millions of families since 2011," the spokesperson said. "We have repeatedly asked to be regulated rather than shut-down without cause."

Dreamland Baby didn'trespond to an emailed requestfor comment.

Exhausted parents shouldnt have to become part-time product safety regulators, but our current system forces them to by allowing infant products onto the market without evidence they are safe, American Academy of Pediatrics President Benjamin D. Hoffman said in a statement.

Sat, 17 Aug 2024 13:05:01 +0000

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