A California couple loses their homeowners’ insurance because they drained their swimming pool to conserve on water

A California couple’s homeowners’ insurance has been terminated due to unexpected reasons unrelated to wildfire concerns. As homeowners across the state grapple with insurance challenges, including limited policies from major companies due to fire risks, AAA has been discontinuing policies for various surprising grounds.

Several homeowners have been affected, revealing that AAA declined to renew their insurance policies for peculiar reasons. Among them, CJ Sveen from Oakley discovered that AAA had cited clutter in his yard, captured in aerial images, as the cause for policy non-renewal. Sveen, who considers his yard a workspace, found the decision offensive and abrupt.

Similarly, George Nadeau of San Rafael received a notice indicating his policy wouldn’t be renewed due to his roof allegedly exceeding its useful life. Nadeau, who maintains his residence meticulously, provided evidence of recent roof upgrades, yet AAA stuck to their decision. Frustrated by the lack of consideration, Nadeau appealed, only to be told that insurance policies were being selectively eliminated in the area.

Marilyn Smith faced a perplexing situation when her policy was not renewed because she and her husband had drained their swimming pool to conserve water during a drought. The couple had made the decision to save on maintenance and costly water expenses after their grandchildren moved away. They were astonished by the insurance company’s claim that an empty pool displayed deferred maintenance.

CSAA Insurance Group, the parent company of AAA, stated that their evaluation of property conditions involves various data sources, including third-party aerial imagery. They emphasized their commitment to assessing risks while maintaining insurance coverage within Northern California, provided underwriting criteria are met. Consumer advocate Amy Bach noted that insurance companies are increasingly employing technology, such as drone surveillance, to identify potential risks.

Despite these challenges, some homeowners managed to find alternative and more affordable policies. After extensive searching, Sveen, Smith, and her husband secured new insurance options. Notably, Nadeau’s policy was eventually reinstated by AAA following his persistence and submission of evidence regarding his well-maintained roof. [Reference]: https://abc7chicago.com/ca-homeowners-insurance-homeowner-cancellation-policy-nonrenewal-not-renewed/13623480/