Chris Chmura

San Francisco

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

Consumer Reporter at @NBCBayArea. Reader of fine print.

Articles

California moves to create public wildfire algorithm to ease insurance crisis

3 weeks 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

3 weeks 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

4 weeks 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

1 month 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

1 month 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

2 months ago | 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

2 months ago | 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

2 months ago | 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.
Save your home insurance? See where dropped families are finding a lifeline

2 months ago | nbcbayarea.com | Chris Chmura |Jeremy Carroll |Alyssa Goard

Lots of desperate families facing California’s insurance crisis are contacting our consumer team for a lifeline. They’ve shared hopeless stories about losing their home insurance and are searching for any way to keep their coverage. But recently, one viewer reached out with a different story that might hold some hope for you. Back in October, Linette Quist near Scotts Valley got the Golden State’s most dreaded letter: a note from her homeowners insurance company stating it was dropping her.
California lawmaker moves to stop contractor ‘money grab’

2 months ago | nbcbayarea.com | Chris Chmura

For months now, NBC Bay Area has responded to viewers’ heartbreaking complaints. They say they lost tens of thousands of dollars each when an ADU builder imploded and went bust. Now, a local lawmaker is proposing statewide change to prevent what he called a money grab. “It was your investigative reporting that flagged this for us,” said California Assemblyman Marc Berman, who represents the peninsula and part of San Jose. The controversy hits home for Lara Zanzucchi in Martinez.