According to an independent insurance agent at the meeting, none of the major insurance companies are issuing new homeowners policies in Scotts Valley. The average price of insuring a new home would be two and a half to three and a half times more than just five years ago. The new price could be comparable to a second mortgage for some. Many folks who spoke to KTVU, including longtime Scotts Valley resident, Tom Eagle, said their insurance company will drop his policy in August.
CAL Fire, the California Department of Insurance and other agencies presented and answered questions from concerned and confused residents. According to Joel Laucher, a consumer consultant with United Policy Holders, the most common question was what people can do if they have been dropped from their policy. Laucher recommends shopping around and exploring all options. "There are a lot of obscure insurers out there you may not know about," Laucher said.