In a compelling legal drama unfolding in Santa Clara County, a couple has taken their insurance agents to court over allegations of professional negligence. On October 31, 2024, John and Antionette Yoka filed a complaint in the Superior Court of California against Mohammad Khan, doing business as Mohammad Khan Insurance Agency, and Laurie Ann Hubbard. The Yokas accuse the defendants of failing to secure adequate insurance coverage for their property after it was destroyed by fire.
The plaintiffs, John and Antionette Yoka, are residents of Santa Clara County and owners of a property located at 11205 Del Puerto Canyon Road in Livermore. They allege that Mohammad Khan is a licensed insurance agent operating under the name "Mohammad Khan Insurance Agency," while Laurie Ann Hubbard is also a licensed agent working with Khan's agency. The complaint outlines that both defendants acted within their roles as agents and employees during the events leading to this lawsuit.
The saga began on August 20, 2020, when the Yokas' home was severely damaged by fire. At that time, their property was insured by Fire Insurance Exchange (FIE), part of Farmers Insurance Group. Although FIE acknowledged the claim and agreed to cover rebuilding costs, delays due to COVID-19 meant reconstruction couldn't start until mid-2023. As they prepared to rebuild, John Yoka consulted with Hubbard about his insurance needs. He was advised he might need "Course of Construction" (C of C) insurance instead of his existing homeowners policy.
Hubbard allegedly informed Mr. Yoka that he had been paying unnecessary premiums on his homeowners policy since the house was destroyed and suggested seeking refunds for those payments. She assured him that canceling this policy would not affect his mortgage requirements and promised to secure C of C insurance in its place. However, after canceling the policy based on Hubbard's advice—and cashing a refund check—Mr. Yoka learned that no replacement insurance could be secured.
The plaintiffs claim they were left without any insurance coverage necessary for rebuilding or satisfying mortgage conditions. Consequently, they were forced to sell their property and have since become homeless as Farmers ceased covering their temporary housing expenses post-fire.
John and Antionette Yoka are seeking general, special, compensatory damages along with interest and legal costs from the court due to what they describe as negligence by their former insurance agents who failed them at a critical time.
Representing the Yokas is Ronald J. Cook from Cook Law Group while details about defense attorneys remain undisclosed in this filing under Case No.: 24CV450786 reviewed by A. Hernandez at Santa Clara Superior Court.