Counties across California, including Sonoma, are struggling with skyrocketing liability insurance costs that threaten public services.
Figures obtained by the Press Democrat show Sonoma County’s spending on liability coverage jumped from under four-million-dollars in 2014-2015 to nearly 24-million in 2024-2025. Rising premiums, limited insurer options, and growing litigation, including multimillion-dollar jury awards, are forcing counties to cut services.
Napa County and others expect continued double-digit increases, straining local budgets and government operations.
