\- California is considered a high risk state for HOI providers and they ALL look at ways to reduce their risk exposure....no surprise here. Cost will be HIGH as the risk is HIGH and cost of work in California is HIGH...
\- you normally shop around for HOI coverage and going to an independent broker/agency is often the best way to do so.
\- the timing sucks for sure and there is likely some state law in place that you need to check on whether they can legally do this under short term scenario.