State Web Site Offers Home Insurance Help

For those who have had trouble obtaining homeowners or renters insurance, there may be help from an unlikely source--the state government. The California Department of Insurance has created a free Web site designed to make shopping for insurance easier on the information highway.

The Web site, at https://www.insurance.ca.gov, allows users to compare homeowners, condominium, renters and earthquake insurance premiums among insurers representing more than 90% of the state’s market.

The site compares more than prices, though. It provides financial data on various insurers to give consumers a better sense of a company’s solvency. Also, consumers can look up individual insurance agents to see whether the state has taken any enforcement action against them.

“Many comparisons simply focus on price, but [this] site encourages consumers to consider levels of service and claims-paying ability as well,” said state Insurance Commissioner Chuck Quackenbush.

Those without access to the Internet can receive comparisons through the mail. Call the department’s consumer hotline at (800) 927-HELP.