Today, Explained

California is becoming uninsurable

Jun 7, 2023

Ben Christopher, a CalMatters reporter, covers California's housing and its insurance crisis, while Umair Irfan, a Vox science reporter, dives into climate change's effects on communities. They discuss how major insurers are pulling out of California due to the severe risks from wildfires. The conversation highlights the urgent need for innovative solutions in the face of climate threats, the challenges homeowners face without coverage, and the broader implications for housing dynamics in increasingly hazardous areas.

26:06

Episode guests

Umair Irfan

Ben Christopher

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Intro

2min

California's Home Insurance Crisis

3min

Navigating Homeowner Insurance Challenges in California

13min

The Flood Insurance Crisis: Navigating Rising Costs and Government Intervention

2min

Navigating the Challenges of Managed Retreat

2min

Navigating the Crisis of Community Relocations Due to Climate Change

2min

Two insurance giants will stop issuing new policies for California homes. CalMatters reporter Ben Christopher and Vox’s Umair Irfan say insurers have determined what homeowners refuse to accept: Climate change has made some parts of the country too risky to live in.

This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Michael Raphael, and hosted by Noel King.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained

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