RCRC has lent its support to Assembly Bill 3012, authored by Assembly Member Jim Wood (D-Santa Rosa). AB 3012 would place specified requirements on insurers’ claim reimbursements in the wake of a loss related to a state of emergency, as well as aid non-renewed homeowners in finding insurance coverage.
Specifically, AB 3012 would require insurers to provide payment of no less than 30 percent of the policy limit without an itemed claim, and allow policyholders to recover an equivalent amount for their claim even if they choose to rebuild elsewhere. In addition, AB 3012 would give non-renewed homeowners the ability to find new coverage in their area by educating them about the California Insurance Finder, and the development of a clearinghouse program through the California FAIR Plan. RCRC believes AB 3012 will bring much-needed aid to homeowners that have either suffered total losses due to wildfires or other natural disasters, or have experienced homeowners insurance non-renewal due to their location in a high-fire risk area.
The Assembly Insurance Committee heard AB 3012 on Thursday, where it passed on a 13-0 vote. RCRC testified in support, along with RCRC members Nevada County and Placer County. Notably, representatives from the FAIR Plan also spoke in support of the measure’s provisions directly related to the clearinghouse program that would be created under their purview. RCRC’s letter can be accessed here, and the California FAIR Plan’s letter can be accessed here. For more information, Staci Heaton, RCRC Senior Regulatory Affairs Advocate, can be reached at (916) 447-4806 or sheaton@rcrcnet.org.