Breaking News: Tsunami Fears After California 7.0 Quake: Will Insurance Rates Rise?

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Now, with tsunami warnings grabbing headlines, could insurers make a similar argument for coastal areas? The parallels are striking. Both wildfires and tsunamis present unpredictable yet devastating risks. Both can lead to catastrophic loss of life and property. And both can be leveraged by insurance companies as justification for higher premiums, stricter underwriting guidelines, and fewer policy options.

As someone with over 20 years in the legal and insurance industries, I’ve seen this strategy before. It starts with a narrative—one built on fear, unpredictability, and catastrophic “what-ifs.” From there, it evolves into policy adjustments, pricing changes, and reduced coverage.

For California homeowners, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Take, for example, Humboldt County residents who live just miles from the quake’s epicenter. Many of them have already been grappling with the challenges of securing fire insurance. Now, they face the possibility of being labeled high-risk for tsunamis as well.