Homeowner's Insurance Woes
Hi neighbors -
We just found out that we're one of the 72,000 property owners in CA who will be dropped by State Farm. Our insurance agent suggested finding an insurance broker to help us find a new policy. Does anyone have a recommendation for an insurance broker who can work some magic for us? We'd also appreciate any other advice, tips, wisdom that anyone can share. I know many of you, sadly, have been through this already. We live in the Orinda hills, fwiw.
Thank you.
Mar 25, 2024
Parent Replies
I feel your pain. For brokers, we have been using Simone Bird and Holly Long at Newfront in San Mateo (650-731-5761). They recently got us a quote from Farmers Insurance. We are also pursuing a quote from Amica Mutual Insurance Company with customer rep. Santiago Ochoa (877-972-6422 ext. 32510). Good luck!
I have worked with and have referred family and friends to Alive Insurance Services Inc. who are located in El Cerrito in the plaza. They have excellent staff that will work with you. Www.aliveinsurance.com
They have a referral program, kindly give them my name if you use them.
Best regards.
Ana Bertero
We are in the same boat and currently working with Eric Tedmus who got us our original insurance plan when we first moved in last year which is now being dropped. He’s been helpful and looks like he may have found something for us (fingers crossed, our house is very very old!). eric [at] siainsures.com
I'm sorry to hear that! We use Heffernan Insurance in Walnut Creek and have been very pleased with their service. Good luck!
Ugh, I feel ya. Susman Insurance (https://www.susmaninsurance.com/) helped us cobble together a solution (which includes FAIR Plan for fire insurance, but was better than nothing, which was what we were finding on our own) when our homeowner's insurance dropped us a few years ago. They're LA-based but they know a lot about the market and were great to work with.
Hi, I'd like to recommend Alive Insurance Services in El Cerrito as insurance brokers. They have a number of helpful brokers and agents. We have worked with Aimee Graziani, she's the VP. Their entire team is very responsive, respectful of clients' needs and will work quickly to help you secure options.
We are in the same boat - being dropped by AAA! Supposedly we could get a AAA policy excluding fire, and a CA FAIR policy just for fire. We will see.