Concerns over insurance rates extend far beyond California's fire-prone areas

ROSEVILLE — Warmer days are still ahead, bringing the fear of fires to the forefront for many. However, this is not only for homeowners who live in wildfire-prone areas, but also for homeowners who live in the suburbs.

It's not news that insurance companies are forgoing insuring California homeowners in high-risk fire zones, but what is new is how climate change is affecting homes in areas that are not generally considered a risk.

In Roseville, a homeowner was instructed by her insurance company to take photos of her home. What followed in the mail was a letter informing her that she would be fired by the company unless changes worth thousands of dollars were made to the home, which was built over the past decade.

“It was a surprise because we thought nothing had really changed,” said Nadia Melzer, a Placer County homeowner and real estate agent.

She's been on both sides of a growing insurance problem that she didn't think would land at her front door or, in her case, in her backyard.

According to Melzer's previous insurer (she has since changed companies), her home needed updates, including moving trees out of the yard and closing up the home's soffits.

On the other side of her backyard fence is an open field, which she says is the main reason her old insurance company wanted to give up her house.

“Living here in the suburbs, I didn’t think it was something I should worry about,” Melzer said.

CBS13 referred these questions and concerns to housing appraiser and analyst Ryan Lundquist. He said he's heard stories like this and others locally, which start with a letter in the mail about changes and end with a homeowner losing their homeowner's insurance.

Tall grass, homes more than 100 years old, trees near the home and a home close to open space are all reasons Lundquist said he has heard homeowners explain why their home insurance won't be renewed .

“I'm starting to hear a lot more stories like this, and it seems like insurance companies are getting a little picky about these issues,” he said.

Another trend Lundquist said he's seen used by insurers: the use of drones for home inspections. He said a customer in Rocklin received notice that his home had been inspected by a drone and because of the results he would be dropped by his insurer.

“It's not just a California problem, but we're seeing insurance problems in states like Florida and Texas and in places where there have been a lot of natural disasters,” Lundquist said.

Experts say climate change plays a role in whether some insurance companies choose to insure or renew. That's why, Lundquist said, insurance problems are not limited to fire-prone areas, but now also to suburban neighborhoods.

Melzer also said she understands that fires are a concern for insurance companies, but they should support homeowners in times of need.