Consumer Watchdog says increase was not justified, while insurance commissioner points to concessions gained from the insurer.

Congress and Trump Administration calls for elimination of Federal Insurance Office and FEMA, if successful, would ripple through insurance and banking industries, say climate financial risk policy experts and officials.

Representative of the state's insurance industry tells regulator that insurers have to pass on the cost to stay solvent. Comments on the proposal are open through May 5.

Nick Gerhart, executive VP at the insurer specializing in funeral and end-of-life coverage, spoke about its technology advances, and the role of insurtech on a broader scale in the industry.

Homeowners class action plaintiffs will depend on finding evidence of conspiracy in discovery process, a legal expert said, but the large scope and cost of discovery, as well as difficulty getting a summary judgment, are likely to lead defendant companies to settle.

A cohort of Democratic senators on the banking committee expressed concern over the Department of Government Efficiency's ongoing efforts to cut Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. staff and contracts, saying they worried the efforts could weaken the nation's deposit insurer and expose sensitive bank data if improperly handled.

The agency is offering buyouts and early retirement incentives for employees, with layoffs possible if targets aren't met, as part of the Trump administration's overall downsizing of the federal government.

Consumer Watchdog argues that California's insurance commissioner cannot allow the FAIR Plan homeowners insurance of last resort to pass on half a $1 billion assessment to consumers.

AB 226, a borrowing mechanism bill passed by the state assembly, allows bond issues supporting the homeowners insurer of last resort – but doesn't specify traditional financing or catastrophe bonds. Cat bonds would not have to be paid back. Also, a climate finance policy advisor said, the bill doesn't account for future disaster risks.

Homeowners who invest in wildfire mitigation measures get no guarantee of breaking even in the form of premium discounts, an insurance attorney points out.