Insurance Hour with Karl Susman #shorts

Published Date: 11/10/2023

The Insurance Hour with Karl Susman: Educating Listeners in a Time of Insurance Uncertainty

When it comes to understanding insurance — what it covers, what it doesn’t, and how it actually works — most people find themselves lost in a maze of terms, exclusions, and red tape. But for thousands of Californians, a familiar voice on the airwaves is helping cut through the confusion.

“I’m Karl Susman with The Insurance Hour on 96.9 FM and 1290 AM KZSB. Make sure to subscribe and listen up.”

That simple on-air invitation from Karl Susman, founder of Susman Insurance Agency and host of The Insurance Hour, captures the spirit of a program that has quietly become one of the state’s most valuable educational resources. It’s more than just a talk show — it’s a public classroom for one of the most misunderstood industries in America.

In a time when homeowners, drivers, and businesses are struggling to navigate an unstable market, The Insurance Hour provides what’s been missing from the conversation: clarity.

1. The Mission: Making Insurance Understandable

Insurance isn’t just about numbers and contracts; it’s about people — and protection. Yet, for many, it feels inaccessible. The fine print can seem designed to confuse, not inform. That’s the gap Karl Susman set out to bridge.

On The Insurance Hour, Karl breaks down complex topics into real-world conversations. Whether it’s wildfire coverage, rate hikes, Proposition 103, or auto insurance reforms, his focus is always on education before sales.

“Insurance shouldn’t be something you only think about after a loss,” Susman says. “The best insurance policy is an informed one.”

Each week, he and his guests — industry experts, policymakers, and consumer advocates — take listeners inside the mechanics of insurance: how rates are set, why markets fluctuate, and what consumers can do to protect themselves before disaster strikes.

2. The Timing: Why Insurance Education Matters Now More Than Ever

California is facing a full-blown insurance crisis. Wildfires, inflation, and outdated regulations have collided to create a perfect storm. Major insurers like State Farm, Allstate, and Farmers have pulled back from writing new homeowners policies, leaving tens of thousands of residents scrambling for coverage.

Meanwhile, the state’s last-resort FAIR Plan has ballooned far beyond its intended capacity, forcing homeowners to pay more for less coverage.

It’s within this chaotic environment that The Insurance Hour has found its purpose.

Listeners aren’t just tuning in for news — they’re looking for guidance. They want to know:

• Why their premiums are rising.
• Why their insurer suddenly dropped them.
• What their FAIR Plan actually covers.
• And most importantly, what they can do about it.

“We’re in an environment where misinformation is rampant,” Susman explains on-air. “People are hearing half-truths about the insurance industry, and that doesn’t help anyone — not consumers, not agents, not regulators.”

By taking a nonpartisan, educational approach, The Insurance Hour helps restore trust through transparency. Karl’s segments often blend consumer tips with market insights — helping everyday Californians understand the “why” behind the headlines.

3. The Approach: Straight Talk About Complex Systems

What makes The Insurance Hour unique isn’t just its host — it’s the way the show handles its topics.

Rather than sensationalizing insurance issues, Karl Susman focuses on practical knowledge. Listeners learn how insurance companies assess risk, why deductibles matter, and how policy language affects claim outcomes.

Common show themes include:

• Decoding Policy Jargon – Explaining terms like “comprehensive coverage,” “replacement cost,” and “actual cash value.”
• Homeowners Insurance Trends – Exploring how climate change and construction costs affect rates.
• Auto Insurance Economics – Discussing how supply chain delays and vehicle technology drive up repair costs.
• Regulatory Challenges – Breaking down Proposition 103, reinsurance costs, and rate approval backlogs.
• Consumer Advocacy – Teaching listeners how to challenge denied claims, appeal non-renewals, or file complaints with the Department of Insurance.

“We’re not here to sell anything,” Karl often reminds his audience. “We’re here to make sure you understand what you’re buying.”

That authenticity has built The Insurance Hour into more than a local radio show — it’s become a trusted source of truth in a field clouded by complexity.

4. The Host: Karl Susman’s Perspective

Karl Susman isn’t just an on-air personality — he’s an insurance professional with over two decades of hands-on experience. His career spans personal, commercial, and specialty lines, giving him a unique ability to translate technical issues into everyday language.

He’s also a regular commentator across media networks including FOX, CBS, NBC, and Spectrum News, where he’s known for his balanced, fact-based insights on California’s evolving insurance landscape.

That balance — between technical depth and accessibility — defines his show’s success.

“People don’t need spin; they need clarity,” Karl says. “Insurance touches everything — your home, your car, your business, your health. But too often, it’s treated like an afterthought until something goes wrong.”

His goal is to make insurance proactive, not reactive — helping Californians build resilience before the next disaster strikes.

5. The Impact: Empowering Listeners, One Policy at a Time

For many Californians, The Insurance Hour is their first step toward truly understanding how insurance works — and how to make it work for them.

Listeners regularly call in or write to share stories of how the show helped them:

• Successfully navigate a claim.
• Find affordable alternatives after a non-renewal.
• Identify coverage gaps before a wildfire.
• Understand why auto insurance rates are rising nationwide.

By focusing on practical outcomes, the show transforms policy education into real consumer empowerment.

“When people understand the system, they can protect themselves better,” Karl explains. “And that benefits everyone — consumers, agents, and insurers alike.”

6. The Topics: What the Insurance Hour Covers

The show’s programming spans a broad range of issues relevant to California residents and the broader U.S. market. Some recent discussions have included:

• Wildfire Insurance & Rebuilding Costs: Understanding what’s driving skyrocketing premiums in fire-prone zones.
• Proposition 103 Reform: Analyzing how the 1988 law has affected rate approvals and insurer exits.
• FAIR Plan Challenges: Why the state’s last-resort insurer is under pressure — and what can be done.
• Catastrophe Modeling: Explaining how predictive data can make insurance more accurate and accessible.
• Market Solutions: Exploring how regulators and carriers can collaborate on sustainable reforms.

By addressing these issues through the lens of education, The Insurance Hour turns policy news into actionable understanding.

7. The Broader Message: Transparency Builds Trust

Insurance, at its core, is about trust — trust that your provider will be there when disaster strikes, trust that regulators will keep the system fair, and trust that consumers will act responsibly.

But that trust has eroded as California’s market has become more politicized and less predictable. Conflicting headlines about “greedy insurers” and “overreaching regulators” leave the public confused and frustrated.

“Transparency is the antidote to fear,” Susman notes. “If people understand how the system works — the economics, the regulation, the risks — they stop seeing insurance as the enemy and start seeing it as a partnership.”

That’s what The Insurance Hour aims to restore: informed trust.

8. Why Media Literacy Matters in Insurance

One of the program’s key contributions is bridging the gap between media coverage and industry reality. Headlines often oversimplify insurance issues — portraying rate hikes as greed rather than economic necessity or painting regulatory reform as corporate influence rather than modernization.

By giving listeners context, Susman helps the public see beyond soundbites.

“It’s easy to get angry about insurance until you understand the mechanics,” he explains. “Our job is to replace frustration with knowledge.”

This approach not only informs consumers but also supports healthier dialogue between insurers, policymakers, and communities.

9. How to Listen — and Why You Should

The Insurance Hour airs on 96.9 FM and 1290 AM KZSB, serving Santa Barbara and surrounding regions, and is available online for streaming and podcast replay. New episodes cover everything from breaking industry news to deep dives on long-standing policy debates.

Whether you’re a homeowner navigating renewal notices, a small business managing risk, or simply someone trying to understand your auto policy, the show offers practical, unbiased education in a conversational format.

It’s not a sales pitch. It’s a service — a space where Californians can ask questions, share stories, and get straight answers.

Final Thoughts: Knowledge Is the Best Insurance

In an era defined by uncertainty — wildfires, inflation, and regulatory gridlock — the one thing Californians can control is how much they understand about their coverage.

Karl Susman’s Insurance Hour fills that gap, transforming radio airtime into public service. It’s proof that when experts prioritize education over fear, consumers gain confidence, not confusion.

So the next time you hear:

“I’m Karl Susman with The Insurance Hour — make sure to subscribe and listen up,”
remember that behind those words lies a simple but powerful mission: to make insurance make sense again.