By Donna Westfall – June 16, 2023 Homeowners: Have you noticed your insurance premiums continuing to go up? Do you shop around for lower rates or stay loyal to the company and agent you've been with for years? In addition to 65,000 companies leaving California, now insurance companies like State Farm and Allstate have announced they will no longer insure new homeowners. Plus they have announced rate increases to current policyholders of 28% to 39.6%. Geico closed their California offices in August 2022 and is no longer selling insurance over the phone in California. They are still offering auto insurance on line only. As Reform California puts it, " …because home insurance companies can no longer afford to do business in the state due to skyrocketing disaster claims and the costly regulations imposed by California’s liberal politicians." Skyrocketing crime rates have increased the numbers of claims. With California politicians playing around with releasing convicts from prisons along weakening laws so that there's a lot of catch and release of drug addicts and thieves breaking into homes and businesses in search of cash, prescription drugs, jewelry, electronics, guns and power tools to keep, sell or trade to feed their habit. Keep in mind that legally, you do not have to have homeowner's insurance if you own your home free and clear. But if you have a mortgage, your lender requires you to carry homeowner's insurance.