Homes that survived historic LA wildfires now face dangerous levels of toxic compounds
Homes that survived historic LA wildfires now face dangerous levels of toxic compounds

“DANGER: Lead Work Area” reads a sign on a front door of an Altadena home. “May damage fertility or the unborn child. Causes damage to the central nervous system.” Block after block there are reminders that contaminants still linger. House cleaners, hazardous waste workers and…
Nevada Law Lets Insurers Drop Wildfire Coverage; Is California Next?
Nevada Law Lets Insurers Drop Wildfire Coverage; Is California Next?

Starting January 1, 2026, a new law in Nevada will allow home insurers to exclude wildfire coverage from standard homeowners policies. Passed by the Nevada Legislature, this law will permit insurers to offer wildfire-only policies, marking a significant shift in how property insurance is handled…
Home insurance costs soar in North Bay
Home insurance costs soar in North Bay

Sonoma County’s median rate for home insurance premiums shot up more over the past decade than in any other part of the ninecounty Bay Area, while Lake and Mendocino counties, where wildfires have exacted a wider if not deeper toll, have seen rates climb even…
Legislation introduced to extend national flood insurance program
Legislation introduced to extend national flood insurance program

Bipartisan legislation introduced this week in the House would automatically extend the National Flood Insurance Program. Sponsored by U.S. Reps. Troy Carter (D-LA), Julia Letlow (R-LA), Cleo Fields (D-LA), Clay Higgins (R-LA), Mike Ezell (R-MS) and Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX), the legislation would ensure the National…
Where there’s smoke, there’s a fight
Where there’s smoke, there’s a fight

As the Los Angeles wild­fires died out in Janu­ary, fire­fight­ers trekked through the burn zones to take stock of the destruc­tion. For every home they found leveled, they coun­ted another still stand­ing. The struc­tures looked fine from the out­side, but ash and oily soot often…
California is drafting new rules for wildfire smoke cleanup. Are home insurers calling the shots?
California is drafting new rules for wildfire smoke cleanup. Are home insurers calling the shots?

Wearing protective coveralls and a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear-rated gas mask, Debbie McMahon walks in her Altadena living room on Sept. 25, where last year’s Christmas tree still stands after the wildfire evacuation. McMahon is among the many displaced Los Angeles County residents who…
Fire Survivors to Get Help Navigating Insurance Claims at Pasadena Workshop
Fire Survivors to Get Help Navigating Insurance Claims at Pasadena Workshop

This event already occurred. You are reading an archival copy of the original story. Fire Survivors to Get Help Navigating Insurance Claims at Pasadena Workshop United Policyholders offers free contents workshop for Eaton Fire survivors facing insurance complexitiesPublished on Nov 27, 2025 [photo credit: Pasadena…
‘We feel alone’: L.A. fire survivors call for California’s insurance commissioner to resign
‘We feel alone’: L.A. fire survivors call for California’s insurance commissioner to resign

Survivors of the deadly Los Angeles County fires, some of whom have been unable to rebuild because their insurance claims have been delayed or denied, are calling for California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara to resign. Lara, a former state lawmaker, has one year left in…
Work to reduce fire insurance costs ongoing, advocates say
Work to reduce fire insurance costs ongoing, advocates say

Fire insurance is a huge pain point for foothills residents, who love their quiet mountain homes but are struggling with the cost to protect them from one of the area’s greatest threats. That frustration was evident among the nearly 200 people who came to Conifer…
As disaster losses mount, US insurers continue betting on adaptation
As disaster losses mount, US insurers continue betting on adaptation

A landmark Californian bill that could have shifted some wildfire costs on to oil and gas producers was quietly killed in committee Californian governor Gavin Newsom this month signed a package of bills to help with wildfire recovery and prevention in the wake of the…
These Oakland condos are a dream, but the insurance is a nightmare
These Oakland condos are a dream, but the insurance is a nightmare

When a home abruptly loses hundreds of thousands of dollars of value in the supply-constrained Bay Area, the immediate suspicion is that it has some serious defects. But in the case of the Parkwoods condo complex, there isn’t anything structurally wrong. The 400-unit community in…
New California laws aim to stabilize state’s wildfire insurance market
New California laws aim to stabilize state’s wildfire insurance market

The recent rains may have lowered the threat of wildfire in the area, but the problem of maintaining fire insurance is a year-round problem for many in California. As a result, a number of new laws have just been adopted that aim to stabilize the…
Millions of Americans risk their health and -2-
Millions of Americans risk their health and -2-

“My dad’s sleeping under a dining table because there’s no space,” he said. “My mom had bladder surgery at the end of April and [in] early May had to recover from bladder surgery while basically being homeless.” Comey’s experience is a stark illustration of what…
Wildfire safety leads Commissioner Lara’s agenda as Governor Newsom signs sponsored bills
Wildfire safety leads Commissioner Lara’s agenda as Governor Newsom signs sponsored bills

Putting money in people’s pockets, strengthening incentives, and introducing the nation’s first public wildfire model SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara announced new wildfire safety protections for California consumers as Governor Gavin Newsom signed three critical bills aimed at enhancing mitigation efforts, reducing risk,…
There’s Help for Dealing with Insurance
There’s Help for Dealing with Insurance

United Policyholders is a nonprofit organization that works for consumers with insurance problems/matters. The nonprofit does not take money from insurance companies, and they don’t sell insurance. Volunteers at United Policy have been through the insurance recovery process before and are strictly here to offer…
Experts to address insurance crisis at Willits wildfire forum
Experts to address insurance crisis at Willits wildfire forum

With wildfire season looming and insurance rates climbing, Mendocino residents are invited to a free community event aimed at cutting through confusion and offering practical solutions. The Willits Wildfire and Insurance Forum & Fair takes place Thursday, Oct. 9, at 5:30 p.m. at the new…
California’s insurer of last resort would face more scrutiny under bill heading to Newsom’s desk
California’s insurer of last resort would face more scrutiny under bill heading to Newsom’s desk

In the closing days of the legislative year, California lawmakers sent Gov. Gavin Newsom a bill that is meant to toughen scrutiny of the state’s embattled fire insurer of last resort by insisting that two of their leaders join its governing committee. Assembly Bill 234…
Bill to Increase Oversight of California’s FAIR Plan Awaits Newsom
Bill to Increase Oversight of California’s FAIR Plan Awaits Newsom

California lawmakers have passed Assembly Bill 234, which aims to increase scrutiny of the state’s FAIR Plan, the insurer of last resort for homeowners who cannot secure policies from other companies. The bill now awaits the signature of Governor Gavin Newsom. The legislation proposes adding…