California Insurance Regulations

Coverage·Analysis

The Habitability Exclusion in Commercial Insurance: A California Deep Dive

California has one published appellate decision on the habitability exclusion, 24th & Hoffman, and it lets surplus-lines carriers contract around the Buss duty to defend with catch-all language. The exclusion, the statutes behind it, the state-federal split, and what it means for underwriting and claims.

Analysis•June 28, 2026