Insurance Hour

In today's complex world, the risks we face are no longer limited to the physical. From cyber attacks that can cripple a business to earthquakes that devastate communities and teen drivers navigating their first solo trip, the scope of modern insurance has expanded dramatically.

In a recent episode of Insurance Hour, host and insurance expert Karl Susman tackled this wide spectrum of coverage questions, helping listeners understand how evolving risks demand smarter, more comprehensive protection. Whether you're a homeowner, small business owner, or parent of a new driver, this episode underscored one truth: insurance is no longer one-size-fits-all — it's a living system that must evolve with you.

We often think of insurance as protection against fire, theft, or natural disaster. But as Susman emphasized, one of the most urgent modern perils is digital.

"If your business or household connects to the internet, you're exposed," he warned.

Cyber insurance is now a critical safeguard, covering losses related to:

• Data breaches and ransomware attacks

• Identity theft and wire fraud

• Business interruption due to system downtime

• Legal and notification costs after customer data leaks

Cybercrime losses exceeded $12.5 billion globally in 2023, and small businesses are frequent targets because they lack dedicated cybersecurity infrastructure. Many assume general liability or property insurance will protect them — but those traditional policies almost never cover cyber incidents.

Susman noted that cyber policies vary widely:

"Some cover ransomware but not social engineering. Others might exclude certain types of fraud entirely."

To close that gap, policyholders should look for comprehensive first- and third-party coverage, which includes both your direct losses and the damages you might owe others.

Alw ...

It's one of those moments that plays out in a flash — a driver pulls out unexpectedly, another reacts too late, and everything changes. The brief script from Insurance Hour's episode, "Remember to Drive Safely," captures a hauntingly familiar exchange:

"I thought there was time… I don't have time to stop."
"Please, I've got my boy in the back."

In a few words, it distills the real human cost of distracted or hurried driving. It's not about fines or deductibles — it's about lives interrupted, families torn apart, and regret that can't be undone.

Host and insurance expert Karl Susman used this short, emotional scenario to spark a broader conversation: Why do we continue to underestimate road risk, even though we know better? And what role does insurance play in preventing — or at least softening — these tragedies?

The dialogue in this episode isn't hypothetical — it's rooted in thousands of real-world accidents that happen every day. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), roughly 94% of all crashes are caused by driver error.

These aren't always reckless drivers. They're parents, commuters, delivery workers, and everyday people — just like the man in the clip — who thought they had time to turn, check their phone, or beat the light.

"It's a simple mistake," he says. But in driving, simple mistakes have profound consequences.

The emotional realism of this moment reminds us: driving safely isn't just a slogan — it's a moral and financial responsibility we owe to ourselves, our passengers, and every other person on the road.

Speeding remains the number one contributing factor in fatal crashes. Going just 10 mph over the limit reduces a driver's reaction time dramatically — the difference between a near miss and a collision.

From an insurance perspective, the cost doesn't stop at the crash scene.

• Speeding tickets can raise your auto insurance premiums by 20–40% for three years.

• At-fault accidents can cause rates to double or even triple, depending on the carrier and severity.

• Even minor collisions c ...

In this episode of "Insurance Hour," host Karl Susman answers listener questions on various insurance topics, providing insights and advice for consumers. Key discussions include the importance of commercial auto insurance for businesses, coverage options for home-based businesses, understanding the California Fair Plan for fire insurance, and the distinction between condo insurance and homeowners insurance. The episode also covers specialized insurance topics like cyber insurance, event liability policies, umbrella insurance, and disability coverage for independent contractors. Karl emphasizes the importance of working with knowledgeable brokers and shares tips to minimize risks and ensure adequate protection for all aspects of life.

Wanna text us?

Insurance Hour is hosted by renowned insurance expert Karl Susman. Karl is a frequent guest on television stations such as ABC, CBS, Spectrum, The CW and FOX, and now his popular radio program is available online throughout California and world-wide.

Listeners can now tune in to Insurance Hour on great AM radio station KMET throughout the state of California.

In addition to traditional radio, Insurance Hour is available on several popular streaming platforms, ensuring that listeners can access the show at their convenience.

Audiences worldwide can now enjoy Insurance Hour at InsuranceHour.com, on YouTube, Amazon Music, Tuneln, Alexa, Apple Podcasts, and the iHeartRadio app.

For more information about "Insurance Hour" and its programming, please contact Lara Starr at [email protected]

When it comes to insurance, the biggest mistakes are often the ones you don't realize you're making. Every day, homeowners, drivers, and small business owners across California put their financial security at risk — not because they're reckless, but because they assume their coverage is enough.

In a recent episode of Insurance Hour, host Karl Susman tackled some of the most common — and costly — misconceptions people have about their insurance policies. Through listener questions ranging from home-based business coverage to cyber liability, Susman highlighted one simple truth: understanding your policy is your best defense against financial disaster.

This article breaks down the top insurance mistakes revealed during the show — and what you can do right now to avoid them.

One listener from Santa Clarita called in to ask if he could simply add his plumbing business van to his personal auto policy to "keep things simple."

Susman's response was clear: "This is a true commercial exposure."

A personal auto policy is designed to cover everyday driving — errands, commuting, and family use — not vehicles used for income-generating activities. Once your car becomes a work vehicle, it moves into a different risk category altogether.

Why it matters:
If you're in an accident while driving for business, your personal insurer can legally deny the claim. That means you could be left paying for medical costs, repairs, or liability lawsuits out of pocket.

The fix:

• Ask your agent about a commercial auto policy specifically for business vehicles.

• If you occasionally use your personal car for work (e.g., site visits, deliveries), make sure your personal policy includes a "business use" endorsement.

• Keep records showing which vehicle is used for business and how often — it can save you later in a claims dispute.

A listener from Daly City runs a boutique from her home and wanted to know if her homeowner's policy would protect her inventory and liabilities.

Susman didn't mince words:

"This is not the coverage you're looking for."

Homeowners insuran ...

After years of devastating wildfires and mounting insurance turmoil, California is taking a bold step to stabilize its faltering homeowners market. Starting in 2025, new state regulations will require insurance companies to write policies for at least 85% of homes in designated fire-risk areas — a sweeping measure that could reshape the future of property coverage across the state.

For homeowners like Bruce Silverstein, a Malibu city councilmember whose home was damaged in the recent Franklin Fire, this mandate represents long-awaited relief. For the insurance industry, it signals a major regulatory shift — one that could balance accessibility with accountability, but not without growing pains.

Over the past decade, California has endured an escalating cycle of destruction: larger, faster, and more frequent wildfires causing billions of dollars in insured losses. In the aftermath, major insurance carriers — including State Farm, Allstate, and Farmers — began withdrawing or pausing new homeowner policies, especially in high-risk zones such as Malibu, Sonoma, and the Sierra foothills.

The exodus left hundreds of thousands of Californians relying on the California FAIR Plan, a state-run insurer of last resort that provides basic fire coverage when no private carrier will. But FAIR Plan policies are limited and expensive — they only cover fire and smoke damage, forcing homeowners to purchase supplemental "Difference in Conditions" (DIC) policies for full protection.

For homeowners like Silverstein, the gap between risk and coverage has become untenable.

"People have $15 or $20 million homes," he explained, "and they can only get $3 million worth of insurance through the FAIR Plan."

That mismatch — between home values and insurable limits — has pushed California regulators to act.

Under the new rules, which take effect in 2025, all admitted insurance carriers in California will be required to:

• Write coverage for at least 85% of homes in ZIP codes classified as wildfire-exposed or high-risk areas.

• Reenter markets they previously retreated from, including coastal and mountain communities.

• File rates using updated catastrophe ...

Imagine moving into your dream condo with manageable HOA dues — and within two years, those monthly payments quadruple. That's the reality facing residents at Winter Park Woods in Florida, where HOA fees jumped from around $400 to over $2,000 per month.

It's a staggering increase that's pushing some owners to the brink — financially and emotionally. Many are asking: How did this happen? And perhaps more importantly, could it happen to me?

In a recent FOX 35 interview, insurance and risk management expert Karl Susman explained what's really behind the surge in HOA costs — and why this isn't just a Florida issue. It's a nationwide wake-up call for condo owners, board members, and insurers alike.

The sharp rise in HOA fees isn't random. It traces back to the tragic Surfside condominium collapse in June 2021, which claimed 98 lives and exposed deep structural and regulatory failures in how condominiums were maintained and insured.

In response, Florida passed sweeping reforms — most notably Senate Bill 4-D, which requires condo associations to:

• Conduct milestone structural inspections every 10 years (or sooner for older buildings).

• Maintain fully funded reserve accounts for major repairs.

• Provide transparent reporting to owners and the state.

Previously, many HOAs operated on "pay-as-you-go" budgets, postponing expensive projects or underfunding reserves to keep monthly dues low. Those days are over.

Susman explained the result succinctly:

"The inspector comes out and says, 'We have to shear the building up, do structural upgrades, and improve weather resistance.' Then the HOA is basically forced to go forward — and that means a lot of money."

In short, the Surfside tragedy reshaped the economics of condominium ownership. Deferred maintenance and underfunded reserves are no longer legally or morally acceptable.

At Winter Park Woods, fees increased over 400% in two years. Similar stories are emerging across Florida and other coastal states.

There are several compounding reasons:

In this episode of Insurance Hour, host Karl Susman dives into a wide range of insurance topics driven by listener questions. Topics include the benefits and limitations of critical illness insurance, the importance of adequate HOA insurance coverage, strategies to manage auto insurance costs for new drivers, and the essentials of pet insurance. The episode also explores niche insurance needs, such as renters insurance for high-value items, coverage for classic cars, and business insurance for food trucks and home-based businesses. Karl emphasizes the value of tailoring insurance policies to individual circumstances, providing actionable advice for navigating the complex world of insurance.

Wanna text us?

Insurance Hour is hosted by renowned insurance expert Karl Susman. Karl is a frequent guest on television stations such as ABC, CBS, Spectrum, The CW and FOX, and now his popular radio program is available online throughout California and world-wide.

Listeners can now tune in to Insurance Hour on great AM radio station KMET throughout the state of California.

In addition to traditional radio, Insurance Hour is available on several popular streaming platforms, ensuring that listeners can access the show at their convenience.

Audiences worldwide can now enjoy Insurance Hour at InsuranceHour.com, on YouTube, Amazon Music, Tuneln, Alexa, Apple Podcasts, and the iHeartRadio app.

For more information about "Insurance Hour" and its programming, please contact Lara Starr at [email protected]

In the fast-moving world of insurance, even the most well-intentioned consumers often overlook critical gaps that could cost them thousands. From health emergencies to auto accidents and even family pets, small misunderstandings can have massive financial consequences.

In a recent episode of Insurance Hour, host and industry expert Karl Susman unpacked some of the most common — and surprising — insurance mistakes people make across every category: health, auto, life, property, and specialty lines.

The takeaway was clear: understanding your coverage is just as important as having it.

One of the biggest blind spots in modern health coverage is critical illness insurance.

Even with good health insurance or an Affordable Care Act (ACA) plan, most people aren't financially prepared for the real costs that follow a serious medical diagnosis. Conditions like heart attacks, strokes, or cancer can generate massive out-of-pocket expenses — not just from treatment, but from lost income, travel, and long-term recovery.

Susman explained that critical illness insurance can fill this gap:

"Your major medical policy covers treatment, but critical illness coverage gives you a cash benefit you can use for anything — mortgage, groceries, or lost wages."

This type of coverage is especially important for self-employed individuals or families living paycheck to paycheck. The lump-sum benefit is typically tax-free and paid directly to the insured, giving financial flexibility at a time when it's needed most.

Common mistake: Believing health insurance alone is enough. It isn't — and a short-term medical or critical illness plan can prevent financial disaster.

Another overlooked area of risk involves Homeowners Associations (HOAs) and condo boards. Serving on a board might seem like a volunteer duty, but it carries real legal and financial exposure.

"HOA board members are often surprised to learn they can be sued personally for decisions they make — or don't make," Susman explained.

That's where Directors & Officers (D&O) insurance comes in. This policy covers the legal costs of defending board members against claims of mismanagement, discrimination, or negligence.

Without it, even a small dispute — like a landscaping contract gone wrong — can lead to ...

For nearly five years, California's homeowners have faced an unprecedented insurance drought. Wildfires, reinsurance costs, and outdated regulations forced major carriers to pause new business, cancel renewals, or exit the market entirely.

Now, for the first time in years, there's a cautious glimmer of hope. Farmers Insurance, California's second-largest home insurer, has announced that it will expand the number of new policies it writes each month — a move experts say could mark the beginning of a slow but meaningful recovery in the state's insurance marketplace.

As of this month, Farmers Insurance is increasing its monthly cap on new homeowner policies from 7,000 to 9,000 — a modest increase of 2,000 policies, but one that carries symbolic weight.

The move comes as the company cites an "improving insurance marketplace" in California, following months of negotiations and incremental reforms by the state's Department of Insurance (CDI) under Commissioner Ricardo Lara.

In addition to homeowners policies, Farmers will now also begin selling:

• Condo insurance (for both owner-occupied and rented units)

• Renters insurance

• And, over the next several months, other personal lines products as market conditions allow.

For a state where millions of homeowners have struggled to find coverage, this is a welcome — if tentative — development.

The announcement sparked immediate reactions across the insurance and consumer advocacy communities.

Amy Bach, Executive Director of United Policyholders, called it "a modest step in the right direction."

Michael Stoller, Deputy Director at the California Department of Insurance, described it more optimistically:

"It's a sign that in many ways the dam is starting to break here for California's insurance crisis."

Meanwhile, Carmen Balber, Executive Director of Consumer Watchdog, urged caution.

As flames swept across the hills of Malibu during the Franklin Fire, hundreds of California homeowners found themselves asking the same two questions: "Do I have enough insurance?" and "What happens now?"

For residents in fire-prone areas, these questions have become a grim seasonal ritual. And for the insurance industry — already in crisis — each new wildfire is another reminder of how fragile the system has become.

In a recent live interview, independent insurance expert Karl Susman offered both clarity and calm, breaking down what homeowners need to know when wildfires threaten their property. His message was practical, compassionate, and rooted in decades of real-world experience: safety first, preparation always, and knowledge is your best defense.

When asked what people in Malibu should do while waiting to see if their homes survive the flames, Susman didn't hesitate.

"Please don't go driving around in the fire area," he warned. "Nothing is more important than protecting ourselves and staying safe. As much as our inclination is to protect our home and our stuff — it's just stuff."

It's an emotional truth that's easy to overlook in the panic of evacuation orders. Yet it's essential. Your safety — and that of your family and pets — is the only truly irreplaceable asset.

Susman also reminded viewers that once a wildfire is active, insurers typically freeze policy activity. That means no new coverage can be added, no limits can be raised, and no new policies can be issued until the event ends.

So if you're thinking of increasing coverage during a wildfire, you've already missed the window. The best move is to prepare in advance:

• Keep a digital copy of your policy stored online.

• Maintain a "go bag" with essentials — documents, IDs, photos, medications, chargers, and a flash drive of important files.

• Know your insurer's emergency contact numbers.

Preparation turns panic into a plan — and in a crisis, that can make all the difference.

One of the most overlooked forms of coverage in a standard homeowners policy is "Loss of Use" or "Additional Living Expenses" (ALE). This provision can reimburse you for te ...