Ramona condo owners at San Diego Country Estates just got the kind of HOA update no one wants over their morning coffee. Residents were told the association had agreed to a $900,000 settlement in a 2024 class action and that the master insurance policy for a nearby condo cluster had been canceled, leaving many owners suddenly wondering how exposed they might be and what bills could land in their laps.
According to The San Diego Union-Tribune, the HOA board approved the $900,000 settlement, which a court then signed off on, setting up a three-payment schedule due in June 2026, December 2026, and June 2027. At the same time, the association reported that Farmers Insurance had chosen not to renew the master policy for the Green Haven units, also known as San Vicente Country Villas II. All 115 condo units there received non-renewal notices, with coverage set to end in April 2026. Attorney Josh Carlon told residents that the original damages demand in the lawsuit had been estimated in the millions.
Insurer Pullbacks Are Hitting California Condos
The insurance blow at SDCE is part of a broader California story, where carriers have been trimming condo and renter business amid higher underwriting costs and wildfire risk. The San Francisco Chronicle reported that Liberty Mutual and its Safeco affiliate have stepped back from condo and rental policies in the state, while industry outlets such as Insurance Journal have tracked similar moves by other insurers.
HOA Seeks Permit To Clear Creek And Reduce Risk
Trying to make the property look a little less risky on paper, the association told residents it has applied for a permit from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to clear about 1.9 acres of overgrowth along the creek bordering the condos and golf course. As The San Diego Union-Tribune reports, the permit application went in on Dec. 31, 2025, and officials expect a removal plan from the department by Feb. 28, 2026. The work will likely involve removing silt and concrete in some areas to keep weeds from taking over again. An internal inquiry presented to HOA president Jodi Taylor also concluded there was no evidence that former general manager Carl Weise had previously filed the permit that board members had been told existed.
What Owners May Face Next
Without a master policy in place, individual unit owners could be pushed to buy their own coverage, pay higher premiums, or run into headaches with mortgages and resales if lenders insist on continuous master insurance. Other boards hit with non-renewals have tried clearing hazards, hunting for alternative carriers or imposing special assessments to rebuild reserves, steps aimed at lowering insurer risk and reopening coverage options, according to industry reporting. With the settlement payment schedule and the policy expiration both on the horizon, residents say the next HOA meetings are likely to be pivotal.
Legal Background And Next Steps
The settlement closes out a class action filed in 2024 that alleged the association failed to pay proper wages and overtime, denied required breaks and mishandled reimbursement of employee expenses, according to what the HOA relayed at a recent meeting. Board leaders briefed owners on the settlement terms, the creek-clearing permit timeline and urged homeowners to read the meeting minutes and show up at upcoming sessions to weigh options on insurance, vegetation management and potential funding measures. Homeowners worried about coverage or labor issues were advised to request copies of the legal filings and the permit application once they become available.
