Chris Chmura

San Francisco

Consumer Reporter at KNTV-TV (San Jose, CA)

Consumer Reporter at @NBCBayArea. Reader of fine print.

Articles

See why you can’t see more than 10,000 complaints about California contractors

2 weeks ago | nbcbayarea.com | Chris Chmura

Thousands of people’s complaints about California contractors are locked in state files – and you will never get to see them. The NBC Bay Area Responds team has been asking: why? When you hire a contractor, a Contractors State License Board video recommends a key step.
California approves State Farm’s emergency rate hike request

3 weeks ago | nbcbayarea.com | Chris Chmura

State Farm, California’s largest property insurer, won a first-of-its-kind emergency approval on Tuesday to quickly hike rates on more than a million homeowners and renters insurance policies. State Farm said it needs the emergency rate hike, by more than 15%, because the Los Angeles-area fires depleted the company's cash reserves. The historic approval came in two decisions on Tuesday. Watch NBC Bay Area News free wherever you are First, a morning decision from an administrative judge.
California moves to create public wildfire algorithm to ease insurance crisis

1 month ago | nbcsandiego.com | Chris Chmura

Fire and insurance experts convened on Tuesday to help California take a step toward solving its insurance issues with big data. "We are here to try to tackle a crisis.," said panelist Amy Bach, who heads the nonprofit advocacy group United Policyholders in San Francisco. The meeting was virtual, but it tackled a harsh reality: California faces near-constant wildfire risk.
California moves to create public wildfire algorithm to ease insurance crisis

1 month ago | nbcbayarea.com | Chris Chmura

Fire and insurance experts convened on Tuesday to help California take a step toward solving its insurance issues with big data. “We are here to try to tackle a crisis.,” said panelist Amy Bach, who heads the nonprofit advocacy group United Policyholders in San Francisco. The meeting was virtual, but it tackled a harsh reality: California faces near-constant wildfire risk.
96% success: See how new tech helped homes defend themselves from L.A. firestorm

1 month ago | nbcbayarea.com | Chris Chmura

With rubble still smoldering, Vardaan Vasisht narrated the moment he discovered his Malibu house survived January's firestorm. “I’m very fortunate that it’s intact,” he said, his breath halting, on a cellphone video. In the sea of ash around L.A., it’s a mystery why some houses survived and others burned. But not here. Vardaan points to his roof-mounted sprinklers. “I’m pretty sure, it wouldn’t be there,” he said about the sprinkler system he installed from Frontline Wildfire Defense Systems.
Your car insurance premium might be going up. Here are some paths to savings

2 months ago | nbcsandiego.com | Chris Chmura |Alex Bozovic |Alyssa Goard

California just upped minimum insurance coverage requirements, and the NBC Bay Area Responds team has some tips that could save consumers a good chunk of money. There's a little-publicized route to savings hundreds of dollars on auto insurance, especially for new drivers or those not making a lot of money at work. As is the case with many people, the economy is pinching Dublin resident Jared Allen's wallet. "Gas, groceries, utilities, rent, you name it -- it's more expensive," Allen said.
Your car insurance premium might be going up. Here are some paths to savings

2 months ago | nbcbayarea.com | Chris Chmura |Alex Bozovic |Alyssa Goard

Our consumer team has tips that could save you hundreds on auto insurance. But this is not a commercial. We’re highlighting a little-publicized route to savings, especially if you’re a new driver or not making a lot of money at work. Like all of us, the economy’s pinching Dublin resident Jared Allen’s wallet. “Gas, groceries, utilities, rent, you name it--it’s more expensive,” Allen said. Add to that list: car insurance. “Yeah, it went up,” Allen said of his latest auto insurance premium.
State Farm’s emergency request to raise California rates still up in the air

Feb 26, 2025 | nbcbayarea.com | Alyssa Goard |Ian Cull |Chris Chmura

As of Wednesday, California’s Insurance Commissioner has not decided whether he will approve State Farm’s emergency interim request to increase insurance rates. However, Commissioner Ricardo Lara said he hopes to have a decision within two weeks. If approved, State Farm would increase rates in California 22% for homeowners, 15% for renters, 15% for condominiums, and 38% for rental dwelling coverage. State Farm is the largest insurer in the state and ensures about 20% of the homes in California.
See a 'catastrophe model' that some say will help solve California's home insurance crisis

Feb 26, 2025 | nbcsandiego.com | Chris Chmura

Boston's snowy streets and sidewalks suggest it's the last place you'd find a discussion about wildfires and insurance. And yet, a little-known company here says it's trying to solve California's insurance crisis with a revolution of sorts. "Most people don't know this particular industry exists," said Rob Newbold, President Verisk Extreme Event Solutions.
See a ‘catastrophe model' that some say will help solve California's home insurance crisis

Feb 26, 2025 | nbcbayarea.com | Chris Chmura

Boston’s snowy streets and sidewalks suggest it’s the last place you’d find a discussion about wildfires and insurance. And yet, a little-known company here says it’s trying to solve California's insurance crisis with a revolution of sorts. “Most people don’t know this particular industry exists,” said Rob Newbold, President Verisk Extreme Event Solutions.