Why It is Getting So Hard to Get Home Insurance in Mill Valley

Finding and Keeping home insurance in Marin and Mill Valley specifically has always been more difficult than in other parts of the nation. Surrounded by water on three sides and filled with wild-lands - Marin is the major leagues of Home Insurance. Wildfire, Tsunami, Flood, Storms, Earthquake - we really almost do have it all.

However what was once hard, is now harder still now. Recent mega wildfires will not at all help the situation.

Sadly lots of people are either being dropped by their current insurer or Can not find it when they go to purchase a new home. Here are some of the main reasons that home insurance is hard to procure in Mill Valley:

• The Recent Wildfires (too many to name)
• Home Reconstruction Costs in Mill Valley ($400 plus per square foot)
• Age of Homes (often pre 1950s, with few updates)
• The Marin Home Build Factor (hard to explain, but you will know if you live in one of these.)
• Numerous Captive Agent Insurers no longer writing in 94941

I find this problem to be a real issue for some of our older residents, people that have been in their home for 30 plus years. It can also be shocking for new owners, who frantically contact me at the last minute to help them find home insurance on their property that they are closing on in three days.

But... there is good news. There are numerous independent insurance agents that you may be able to get homeowners insurance from. (And yes I am an independent agent myself, and there are others.) Some of us have written lots of harder to place home locations in Marin County.

So how do independent agents do it? Simple, rather than just work with one company, we work with lots of insurers. Sometimes 50 or more. We know, based on our experience and underwriting guidelines who may or may not take it. We apply on numerous fronts.

Rest assured that even after all of the typical home insurers potentially refuse coverage that there are numerous 'Alternative' options such as the FAIR plan and Non Admitted Insurers. The main issues with many of these 'alternative' options are coverage qualify, breadth, and cost. I am truly sorry to report that many of these options can cost several thousand dollars (or more) per year.

So what should new homeowners do if they are purchasing in Mill Valley?

• Speak with more than one Agent. (I do not care what any one agent tells you.)
• Be as honest as possible on the insurance application.
• Ask your agent - What is the likelihood that this will get approved by the underwriters?
• Start early on your home insurance search.

What should Current residents of the County do if they receive a non renewal notice?

1. Immediately reach out to an independent, that has experience in Marin County.
2. Be as honest as possible on the insurance application.
3. Be prepared to pay more.
4. Be patient.