Lucky to Have It

Once upon a time, kids, I highly valued a
CSAA membership because of its maps.

After reading about all the difficulties that California homeowners have had in obtaining insurance, I breathed a sigh of relief when I opened the renewal invoice from CSAA for July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025. I was doubly relieved that the total premium was under $2,000, less than double what it was ten years ago. Other California homeowners covered by CSAA aren't as lucky as I am, but so far they're being renewed. [bold added]

Over a million California policyholders insured through AAA are seeing their home insurance rates rise — sometimes by substantial amounts.

CSAA, the Northern California insurance affiliate for AAA, was approved last Friday to raise its average home insurance rate by 6.9%. Some homeowners may see their rates go up as much as 23.3%, though a small number of others may see their rates decline as much as 11.3%, according to filings with the California Department of Insurance.

The approximately 448,000 customers affected by the rate change can expect to see their new price at their next renewal date on or after August 1, according to the company’s filings.

And in Southern California, 865,579 policyholders with the Interinsurance Exchange of the Automobile Club — another AAA-affiliated insurer, sometimes known as the Auto Club of Southern California — are seeing home insurance average rates rise by an average of 20% when they renew, in a rate rise that went into effect in March.

Part of the reason the premium didn't go up much for us was due to the calendar: the approved increase affected policy periods beginning in August. Also, the Northern California territory (average 6.9% increase) is perceived to be less risky by the insurer than the Southern California territory (average 20% hike).

Like a sleepy stock that suddenly becomes an investment darling, Foster City is now taking off as a high-benefit, low-risk place to be.