Dear Friends and Colleagues,
Welcome to your first District update of the year. I am John Fondnazio, your CCAR President and Board Liaison, representing those of you who conduct business outside of Contra Costa County. I serve as your direct connection to CCAR leadership, and will share key updates with you, as well as bring your feedback to the Board.
In this first email of the year, you’ll find timely insights on insurance considerations, new California real estate laws taking effect in 2026, and practical information to support your business.
I look forward to staying connected with you throughout the year. I am here to listen, share updates, and bring your feedback forward. Feel free to reach out to me any time—we always want to hear from you. | MEET YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS >
Warm regards,
John
Top Tips to Get Insurance in Fire-Prone Areas
In this challenging insurance market, it is important for homebuyers to be proactive, diligent, and patient. Below are the five top tips for homebuyers in finding insurance:
Plan ahead and seek the assistance of insurance agents – Start shopping for insurance early! It takes time to complete applications and obtain quotes. When contacting agents, check to see if they work exclusively with one insurance company or has access to multiple carriers. Keep track of which insurance companies are being contacted to make sure there is a thorough search of all options. Use this tool from the California Department of Insurance for finding an agent or broker near you.
Check for policies written by admitted insurance companies. It is only admitted insurance companies that are backed by the California Insurance Guarantee Association (CIGA). They must file their rates and policy forms with the California Department of Insurance (DOI) and, most importantly, they are part of CIGA, which provides protections if the carrier becomes insolvent. The DOI has a list of admitted insurance companies >.
Compare types and limits of coverage, and feel free to ask questions. You can compare the types of coverage and limits using the DOI coverage comparison tool. Also remember to check whether the insurance company will lower the quote for fire hardening (e.g., clearing trees or brush around the perimeter, or having fire-resistant roof materials).
If coverage isn’t available through an admitted carrier, consider surplus lines (non-admitted) insurance. These carriers don’t file rates or forms with the DOI and aren’t part of CIGA, meaning no CIGA protection if the carrier becomes insolvent. However, they often offer more flexible options. Be sure to evaluate the carrier’s financial strength using a service such such as A.M. Best to determine whether it offers the best solution.
The Fair Plan is available as a last resort. If there are no other options, you or your insurance agent should contact California FAIR Plan at 1 (800) 339-4099. The FAIR Plan policy can be expensive, and it only covers certain losses caused by fire and smoke. For other perils such as theft and liability, consumers will need to buy Differences in Conditions (DIC) insurance to fill the gaps. List of DIC carriers >.
New CA Real Estate Laws Effective Jan 2026
A collection of new laws have been passed by the California Legislature that may affect REALTORS® in 2026. Following are the summaries of the most noteworthy among them. For the full text of a law, click on the C.A.R. link below.
HOA Balcony Inspection Disclosures (SB 410) Condo associations must include the most recent balcony inspection report in the standard HOA disclosure package, improving transparency and helping buyers meet lender requirements.
Digitally Altered Images in Advertising (AB 723) New rules apply when using digitally altered images in real estate advertising, including listings, mobile homes, and leases over one year.
Buyer Representation Agreement Regulations Buyer representation agreements and renewals are now limited to 90 days. Agreements exceeding 90 days are void and unenforceable, though the start date may be deferred.
Thirdhand Smoke Disclosure (AB 455)
Sellers must disclose actual knowledge of tobacco or nicotine residue and any history of smoking on the property.
Rental Habitability: Refrigerators & Stoves (AB 628) Landlords must provide working refrigerators + stoves with limited exceptions (for leases entered into, amended, or extended on or after Jan-1-26).
New Referral Fee Disclosure Form, Tools & Resources
To support clear and consistent disclosure, C.A.R. released new and updated forms, including the revised REALTOR® Acknowledgement and Disclosure Form (RAD). The updated form provides a standardized way to disclose referral-related compensation and other required disclosures.
To help members navigate these changes, C.A.R. also launched new support resources, including:
- A Legal FAQ
- Quick Guides
- Legal Live Webinar videos
These tools explain when the RAD should be used, what must be disclosed, and how the updates align with current legal requirements. | LEARN MORE >
CCAR ANNUAL SPONSORS
Chris Dickson
Platinum Partner, NAR Corporate Ally Program
CCAR is proud to be a RESO Platinum Certified MLS, the highest level of certification available.
