Over the past few months, some insurers have pulled back from writing certain lines of business in certain states due to increased hazards and increased construction costs. Both State Farm and Allstate quit writing new business in California. Farmers has also announced it is limiting new homeowners in policies in California and will stop writing new and will nonrenew Farmers-branded auto, home, and umbrella policies in Florida as well. Farmers made an attempt to nonrenew thousands of homeowners policies in Georgia if a roof was over 15 years old, but it rescinded those nonrenewal notices when the attempt was brought to the attention of the insurance department. The department immediately ordered Farmers to reverse those nonrenewals as they violated state regulations. Georgia's insurance commissioner is considering disciplinary actions against the company as well. Companies are only allowed to change underwriting guidelines for new properties and cannot nonrenew existing customers under new guidelines.
Now, Liberty Mutual has joined the group by announcing it will cease writing new or renewing existing businessowners policies in California in the fourth quarter of 2023. New business will cease to be offered in October, and nonrenewals will begin in December.
Tokio Marine America has also decided to stop writing new non-automobile personal lines policies in California as of July 2023 and plans to exit all personal lines by 2026. Its decision was attributed to an inability to support rising tech costs along with market conditions.
Other insurers that have withdrawn or are withdrawing from the Florida market include Bankers Insurance, Centauri Insurance, and Lexington Insurance. The Florida insurance market has become incredibly difficult due to multiple issues, including storms, construction costs, and issues with abuse of assignments of benefits and litigation. Over the past few years, multiple insurers have become insolvent, further restricting available coverage.
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Christine G. Barlow, CPCU
Christine G. Barlow, CPCU, is Executive Editor of FC&S Expert Coverage Interpretation, a division of National Underwriter Company and ALM. Christine has over thirty years’ experience in the insurance industry, beginning as a claims adjuster then working as an underwriter and underwriting supervisor handling personal lines. Christine regularly presents and moderates webinars on a variety of topics and is an experienced presenter.