An insurance crisis was already brewing in L.A. Then the fires hit.
An insurance crisis was already brewing in L.A. Then the fires hit.

In July, as California sweltered through its hottest month in history, the state’s biggest insurance company stopped providing home insurance to more than a thousand homeowners in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles. Tucked into the fire-prone hillsides on the city’s Westside, the neighborhood…
Changes to insurance may affect those impacted by Los Angeles area wildfires
Changes to insurance may affect those impacted by Los Angeles area wildfires

On this segment of Ask an Expert, we’re discussing the insurance implications of the devastating wildfires burning in Southern California. This as private insurance companies have canceled hundreds of policies in wildfire-prone areas and the state’s FAIR plan takes on more policies. To answer those…
California fires intensify scrutiny on strained home insurance market
California fires intensify scrutiny on strained home insurance market

The fires raging in the Los Angeles area have many people asking what impact it could have on California’s home insurance market. That’s because – in recent years – most of the state’s biggest property insurers have paused or limited business in California, citing the…
Got insurance? Tips for homeowners affected by Southern California wildfires
Got insurance? Tips for homeowners affected by Southern California wildfires

At least six wildfires (Palisades, Eaton, Hurst, Lidia, Sunset, and Woodley) have forced California residents to flee from their homes, resulting in death, injuries, and property destruction. Officials and consumer advocates offer advice for residents with insurance questions and related issues in the aftermath of…
Los Angeles wildfires could make insurance crisis worse
Los Angeles wildfires could make insurance crisis worse

The recent wildfires in Los Angeles could become the most expensive series of wildfires in California’s history, not due to the number of homes lost, but because of the high value of the properties affected, experts say. AccuWeather released a preliminary estimate this week, putting…
What California homeowners should know about filing an insurance claim for fire damage
What California homeowners should know about filing an insurance claim for fire damage

As deadly wildfires engulf swaths of Los Angeles County, forcing nearly 200,000 people from their houses, a still-to-be known number of residents will be contending with insurance claims to recoup losses and rebuild or repair their homes. For those looking to be treated fairly and…
California overhauled its insurance system. Then Los Angeles caught fire.
California overhauled its insurance system. Then Los Angeles caught fire.

On Tuesday, after a ferocious Santa Ana windstorm blew through Southern California, a severe brush fire broke out in the wealthy Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, burning at least 1,000 structures and forcing hundreds of thousands of residents to evacuate as of Thursday morning.…
Los Angeles Fires Burn Down Thousands Of Homes: Here Is How You Can Claim Insurance
Los Angeles Fires Burn Down Thousands Of Homes: Here Is How You Can Claim Insurance

Multiple wildfires have been ravaging Los Angeles County since Tuesday, resulting in at least five deaths and thousands of residents being displaced. Authorities called for more mass evacuations on Wednesday after hundreds of structures were destroyed. Now, locals are seeking insurance for their property loss.…
How the devastating Los Angeles fires could deepen California’s home insurance crisis
How the devastating Los Angeles fires could deepen California’s home insurance crisis

The fires across Los Angeles County are likely to be one of the most expensive natural disasters in U.S. history, with losses estimated at $50 billion or more. The losses threatened to deepen a crisis that has already left hundreds of thousands of Californians struggling to…
Tools for recovering insurance after wildfires
Tools for recovering insurance after wildfires

Amy Bach, executive director of the nonprofit United Policyholders, joined us to discuss how she and her team provide tools and resources for navigating insurance after disasters, such as devastating wildfires. For more information, visit UPHelp.org. This segment aired on the KTLA 5 Morning News…
Los Angeles wildfires rage as California homeowners battle an ‘insurance crisis’
Los Angeles wildfires rage as California homeowners battle an ‘insurance crisis’

Analysts estimate the insured losses in Pacific Palisades alone could approach $10 billion, squeezing insurance companies at a time when some have been pulling back policies. The wind-driven wildfires burning out of control in the Los Angeles area couldn’t have emerged at a more perilous…
California had a home insurance crisis before the LA fires. It’s only going to get worse.
California had a home insurance crisis before the LA fires. It’s only going to get worse.

As firefighters race to control roaring blazes that have forced thousands to flee their homes, the mounting financial toll from the most destructive firestorm in Los Angeles history could deal a devastating blow to the property insurance market and the California homeowners who rely on…
Los Angeles Fires Become Existential Test for California’s Stopgap Insurer
Los Angeles Fires Become Existential Test for California’s Stopgap Insurer

The conflagrations tearing across Los Angeles are on track to be among the most expensive wildfire disasters in US history, draining insurance coffers and threatening California’s massive state-sponsored insurance program. Losses from the fires “could push insurance markets over the brink in California,” said Michael…
California overhauled its insurance system. Then Los Angeles caught fire.
California overhauled its insurance system. Then Los Angeles caught fire.

On Tuesday, after a ferocious Santa Ana windstorm blew through Southern California, a severe brush fire broke out in the wealthy Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, burning at least 1,000 structures and forcing hundreds of thousands of residents to evacuate as of Thursday morning.…
Insurance claim tips for homeowners affected by Southern California wildfires
Insurance claim tips for homeowners affected by Southern California wildfires

Multiple wildfires have been sweeping across Los Angeles County since Tuesday, killing at least five and pushing thousands out of their homes. The total damage is not yet known; the fires were 0% contained as of Wednesday. For the owners of the 1,000-plus structures destroyed…
If you lost your home or business in the wildfires, here’s what to do next
If you lost your home or business in the wildfires, here’s what to do next

With thousands of structures destroyed by wildfires that continue to rage out of control around Los Angeles, homeowners and business owners face a long road ahead to recoup their losses. Filing an insurance claim is one of the many tasks to take care of after…
Palisades Fire: Wildfire Evacuation Tips
Palisades Fire: Wildfire Evacuation Tips

We are keeping an eye on the Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire.  Our hearts are with everyone affected by the wildfires in Los Angeles. If told to evacuate due to the wildfire, do so immediately. If you are preparing to evacuate, here are our home…
Frustrated About Insurance Denials? You’re Not Alone.
Frustrated About Insurance Denials? You’re Not Alone.

My book “Delay, Deny, Defend: Why Insurance Companies Don’t Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It” was thrust into the spotlight recently after UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was killed last month in what authorities say was a targeted attack. Investigators at the scene…