Placerville Newswire
  • Crime
  • Culture
No Result
View All Result
Get Started
Placerville NewsWire
  • Crime
  • Culture
No Result
View All Result
Placerville NewsWire
No Result
View All Result

Flames of Uncertainty: El Dorado County’s Battle for Home Insurance Amidst Wildfire Perils

Navigating the Inferno of Rising Premiums and Dwindling Coverage in California's High-Risk Zones

Cris Alarcon by Cris Alarcon
April 10, 2024
in Government
519 33
0
Flames of Uncertainty: El Dorado County’s Battle for Home Insurance Amidst Wildfire Perils

George Osborne

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterWhatsappReddit

Camino, El Dorado County (April 9, 2024) – Residents of El Dorado County find themselves caught in a whirlwind of uncertainty as major insurance companies opt out of renewing home insurance policies in wildfire-prone regions of California. With premiums skyrocketing and coverage options dwindling, many are left scrambling to secure essential protection for their homes.

In the rural communities within El Dorado County, the palpable sense of unease is evident. Longtime resident George Osborne, who boasts 28 years of residency and a past stint as a unit fire chief for Cal Fire, reflects the sentiments shared by many in the area. Osborne lamented,

You might also like

Government Shutdown Threatens Fleet Week Military Displays, Curtails Federal Park Services for El Dorado County

Government Shutdown Threatens Fleet Week Military Displays, Curtails Federal Park Services for El Dorado County

September 30, 2025
El Dorado County Seeks Four Volunteers for Behavioral Health Commission

El Dorado County Seeks Four Volunteers for Behavioral Health Commission

September 26, 2025

“It just keeps climbing, and, I mean, it’s becoming a crisis.”

Osborne’s frustration is palpable as he discusses the ordeal faced by residents in navigating the labyrinth of insurance woes. He advocates for a more nuanced approach, suggesting that insurance rates should be determined by parcel rather than zip code, recognizing the diverse risk profiles within the same geographic area.

The issue of escalating insurance costs is not new to Osborne. He recounts a tumultuous journey, hopping from one insurer to another in search of affordability and reliability.

“We had Farmers and then we went to Merced, and Merced went bankrupt in Paradise,”

Osborne recounted, highlighting the precarious nature of insurance providers in volatile regions.

Assemblymember Joe Patterson, a Republican in the Sierra foothills — lost his own coverage when American National pulled out last month.

Now reliant on the California FAIR Plan for fire insurance, Osborne reveals the staggering burden of premiums, surpassing $5,000 annually for fire coverage alone—a figure that has more than doubled in recent years. Such exorbitant costs have prompted Osborne and his wife to contemplate the unthinkable: leaving behind a place they cherish deeply.

Their predicament is echoed by Bill Buetow, a seasoned realtor from Pollock Pines, who underscores the ripple effects of the insurance crisis on the housing market.

“Deals will drop out if you can’t qualify. The way you qualify now for buying a home, you have to submit a bid, an insurance bid, and they’ll take that into consideration,”

Buetow explained, shedding light on the intricate interplay between insurance accessibility and property transactions.

As El Dorado County residents grapple with the looming specter of wildfires and insurance uncertainties, the resilience of these communities is put to the test. Yet, amidst the adversity, there remains a steadfast determination to weather the storm and preserve the cherished way of life amidst the picturesque landscapes of California’s golden countryside.

Assemblymember Joe Patterson said. “I mean, people can’t afford to live.”

 


CBS 13 reached out to the California Insurance Commissioner, Ricardo Lara [Democratic Party], and his statement was as follows:

“We have an insurance crisis caused by climate change, global issues, and outdated regulations. In some parts of our state you cannot find insurance at any price. Increasing availability of insurance is how we will protect affordability. My strategy brings insurance companies back to writing policies in California and competing for your business. Greater availability of insurance is going to get people the insurance they need at a price they can afford. I brought insurance companies to the table and under our agreement they will increase availability in wildfire distressed areas. For any companies that fail to follow through on their commitment, I will use our enforcement authority to re-assess their rates.”

As Ricardo Lara nears the end of his tenure, his sights are set on a new political frontier: the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. In this arena, the wildfire insurance issue takes a backseat, presenting Lara with a fresh landscape of electoral dynamics. However, his erstwhile counterparts in the Legislature are feeling the heat of an impending consumer uprising. As Lara navigates this transition, the stage is set for a nuanced interplay of political maneuvering.

ALSO SEE:

Ricardo Lara is playing with fire

 

Source: Shelby Reilly, CBS 13
Cris Alarcon

Cris Alarcon

Former Member: Executive Board of Directors, Treasurer, Boys & Girl Club of El Dorado County Western Slope. - Former Member: Board of Directors, Treasurer, Food Bank of El Dorado County. - Opening Team Dealer at Red Hawk Casino - Retried EDC Elections Department Inspector. - Youngest Charter Member of the Hangtown Kennel Club. - Political Strategist and Campaign Manager.

Related Stories

Government Shutdown Threatens Fleet Week Military Displays, Curtails Federal Park Services for El Dorado County

Government Shutdown Threatens Fleet Week Military Displays, Curtails Federal Park Services for El Dorado County

by Cris Alarcon
September 30, 2025

Federal funding lapse could ground Blue Angels and lock gates at federal parks near El Dorado County. What residents and...

El Dorado County Seeks Four Volunteers for Behavioral Health Commission

El Dorado County Seeks Four Volunteers for Behavioral Health Commission

by Cris Alarcon
September 26, 2025

El Dorado County is accepting applications to fill four volunteer seats on its Behavioral Health Commission. This is an opportunity...

National Forest Facilities in El Dorado County Begin Seasonal Winter Closures

National Forest Facilities in El Dorado County Begin Seasonal Winter Closures

by Cris Alarcon
September 25, 2025

Heads up, El Dorado County: Eldorado National Forest begins its annual winter shutdowns this fall. Know what’s closing, when, and...

Engage El Dorado Seeks Countywide Input on Attainable Housing and Transportation

Engage El Dorado Seeks Countywide Input on Attainable Housing and Transportation

by Cris Alarcon
September 18, 2025

Help shape housing and transit in El Dorado County. Take the Engage El Dorado survey (under 5 minutes) and join...

Recommended

Red Hawk Resort/Casino Revs Up Excitement as Title Sponsor for 2024 Placerville Speedway Season

Red Hawk Resort/Casino Revs Up Excitement as Title Sponsor for 2024 Placerville Speedway Season

February 28, 2024
EDSO Eagle

El Dorado County Sheriff’s Arrest Log – July 29, 2025

July 30, 2025

Popular Story

  • Placerville Man Sentenced for Throwing Chairs and Resisting Police

    Placerville Man Sentenced for Throwing Chairs and Resisting Police

    701 shares
    Share 280 Tweet 175
  • El Dorado County Sheriff Arrest Log: September 26, 2025

    690 shares
    Share 276 Tweet 173
  • El Dorado County Sheriff Arrest Log – Sept. 25, 2025

    668 shares
    Share 267 Tweet 167
  • El Dorado County Arrest Log, Sept. 24, 2025: DUIs, Assaults, and Shoplifting

    665 shares
    Share 266 Tweet 166
  • El Dorado County Sheriff’s Daily Log: September 26, 2025

    654 shares
    Share 262 Tweet 164
  • Buy JNews
  • Support Forum
  • Pre-sale Question
  • Contact Us

© 2023 Placerville Newswire Commentary is produced by the Placerville Newswire, a private service focusing on Placerville Local Area issues. All conclusions expressed in this publication should be understood to be solely those of the author(s). You may find us in El Dorado County Placerville, CA 95667

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Landing Page
  • Buy JNews
  • Support Forum
  • Pre-sale Question
  • Contact Us

© 2023 Placerville Newswire Commentary is produced by the Placerville Newswire, a private service focusing on Placerville Local Area issues. All conclusions expressed in this publication should be understood to be solely those of the author(s). You may find us in El Dorado County Placerville, CA 95667