Natalie Todoroff

Natalie Todoroff joined the Bankrate team in 2023, prior to which she created user-focused content about car insurance. Now, she primarily focuses on home insurance. She holds a personal lines insurance license in the state of California.

Natalie knows that a home is probably your largest financial asset and that an insurance policy is an important part of protecting it. But, finding a policy can be difficult — let alone understanding its nuances. Insurance policies can be hard to understand. Plus, with extreme weather on the rise and carriers exiting or limited coverage in some states, it’s arguably harder than ever to find the right policy. She writes with that in mind first.

As a California resident, Natalie witnesses first-hand the challenges climate change poses to securing an affordable home insurance policy. She is familiar with the complex laws that govern California's insurance market and how they play a role in determining what homeowners across the Golden State must pay to insure their homes.

Natalie wants you to know

Your dwelling limit shouldn’t be permanent. Factors like inflation and the cost of construction materials can affect how high — or low — your dwelling limit should be. To avoid a major coverage gap, Natalie recommends checking your dwelling limit yearly with a licensed agent to ensure it’s high enough to rebuild your home. If raising your dwelling limit isn’t doable with your budget, you might want to think about an extended dwelling endorsement. With some carriers, that could be a more affordable option.

Natalie's recommended readings

• Limited options in California as major carriers pull back
• Homeowners choose minimal insurance due to rising rates. How risky is it?
• The impact of natural disasters on home insurance rates in 2024
• Home insurance ‘crisis’: First Florida, now California — is my state next?
• Rising tides and insurance costs: Coast homeowners navigate high coverage costs