Automobile Insurance coverage Charges Surge by 15% in First Half of the 12 months
California drivers face important will increase in automobile insurance coverage premiums, as charges have surged 15% within the first half of 2024 alone. This rise is a part of a broader pattern throughout the state and the nation, with California anticipated to see a complete improve of twenty-two% by the tip of the yr, in accordance with knowledge from Insurify.
The steep rise in premiums follows a 24% improve in 2023, pushed by insurers’ alleged underwriting losses of $33.1 billion in 2022. Whereas losses decreased to $17 billion in 2023, the monetary pressure was nonetheless sufficient to set off important charge hikes in 2024.
The mixture of inflation, rising automobile restore prices, and extreme weather-related claims has positioned unprecedented stress on insurers, forcing them to lift premiums. In states like California, the place insurance coverage charges have been frozen throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, insurers at the moment are scrambling to catch up, with some requesting double-digit charge will increase and others exiting the state solely.
“Throughout COVID-19 shutdowns, states like California put a freeze on charge will increase,” mentioned Mallory Mooney, a licensed insurance coverage agent and director of gross sales and repair at Insurify. “That’s why so many individuals noticed drastic charge hikes in 2023 after these restrictions have been lifted. Insurers are nonetheless enjoying catch-up, and it’s too little too late for lots of them.”
California’s insurance coverage laws, which emphasize shopper protections, require insurers to hunt approval from the Division of Insurance coverage (DOI) earlier than implementing charge hikes. California drivers have skilled a forty five% year-over-year improve in full-coverage charges regardless of these protections.
Including to the monetary burden, California is ready to lift its minimal automobile insurance coverage necessities on January 1, 2025, beneath Senate Invoice 1107. The brand new legislation, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, will double and, in some instances, triple the legal responsibility limits for auto insurance coverage insurance policies. Whereas the upper limits will provide higher safety for drivers, they’re additionally anticipated to extend premiums additional.
A number of insurers have scaled again their operations within the state. GEICO has closed all its California workplaces, State Farm has stopped quoting through telephone, and Progressive has halted promoting within the state. With extra insurers doubtlessly leaving the market, the DOI could approve further charge will increase to retain firms.
With California’s common annual full-coverage premium exceeding $2,400, drivers are going through the best insurance coverage prices in latest reminiscence, and the pattern reveals no indicators of slowing down.
