Shock grows over soaring cost of homeowners insurance

Annual bill has more than quadrupled since 2021

I have had State Farm homeowners insurance for over 40 years, the last 35 in Jamul, with no claims beyond a couple of home break-ins of low value. In 2021, my yearly premium was $2,282. This coming year it’s $9,877. That is more than double from last year alone, and more than quadruple three years ago. This is more than gouging, it’s obscene. I have had little help so far from officials and fear that I may have to go without insurance if this continues to be their policy. Who is stepping up to help homeowners now?

— Jeff Goodhartz, Jamul

Don’t punish owners who have low-risk homes

Only two questions: Are the big bad insurance companies making a profit by selling fire insurance in California. If yes, they should have to justify every cancellation. If not, no one can force any business to sell any product knowing that they will not profit from the sales.

Secondly, is the California FAIR Plan charging equitable rates so that the rest of us don’t have to support high-risk properties? Everyone should be able to buy insurance at equitable rates which means lower risk customers should not have to pay for the decisions of others to have expensive homes in high-risk situations without proper mitigating protection.

— Charlie Kellogg, Fallbrook