Why insurance matters to renters, landlords and California
Why insurance matters to renters, landlords and California

Welcome to CalMatters, the only nonprofit newsroom devoted solely to covering issues that affect all Californians. Sign up for WhatMatters to receive the latest news and commentary on the most important issues in the Golden State. A year and a half after the Eaton Fire, Gil Barel…
CA says State Farm violated the law in handling of insurance claims after Eaton, Palisades fires
CA says State Farm violated the law in handling of insurance claims after Eaton, Palisades fires

LOS ANGELES (KABC) — Insurance giant State Farm may temporarily lose its California license after an investigation found it violated the law in its handling of claims from the 2025 wildfires. An investigation found the insurance company was slow to investigate and underpaid claims from…
Governor Polis Announces New Tool to Help Coloradans Navigate Life After Disaster
Governor Polis Announces New Tool to Help Coloradans Navigate Life After Disaster

DENVER – Today, Governor Polis announced the new Colorado Disaster Recovery Navigation Tool to help Coloradans navigate recovery and rebuild after natural disasters. This new tool provides a step-by-step guide for what to do in the aftermath, immediate and long-term, of a natural disaster. “Coloradans…
State Farm under fire for hundreds of violations — but experts say Californians won’t lose coverage
State Farm under fire for hundreds of violations — but experts say Californians won’t lose coverage

Regulators want State Farm barred from writing new policies for a year for allegedly violating state law after the Los Angeles wildfires — but experts say current customers shouldn’t panic. “Auto insurance and home insurance contracts are one year contracts, and they commenced at different…
State Farm fined by California regulators over wildfire claim violations
State Farm fined by California regulators over wildfire claim violations

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The California Department of Insurance has sanctioned and fined State Farm, the largest home insurer in both the state and the nation, for 432 violations of the Unfair Insurance Claims Practices Act and other laws. Claims stem from California wildfires What we…
United Policyholders LA Wildfires Year One Survey Report
United Policyholders LA Wildfires Year One Survey Report

Full report and survey data Significant Findings: A substantial number, 69%, of households report being underinsured by an average amount of $247 per square foot. The dollar amount is a significant increase from underinsurance data we have collected from previous wildfires recovery surveys. Common claim problems continue…
Consumer Watchdog Claims New Regulations from Commissioner Lara Will Silence Consumer Voice in Insurance Rates
Consumer Watchdog Claims New Regulations from Commissioner Lara Will Silence Consumer Voice in Insurance Rates

Ignoring the protests of 32 consumer protection, labor, senior, immigrant, low-income, and public advocacy organizations, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara has issued regulations that will make it nearly impossible for members of the public to scrutinize and challenge increases in home, auto and business insurance premiums.…
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…
CA homeowner stuck with $50K bill after neighbor’s tree crashes into her house. Insurer denies claim, argues it was ‘unforeseeable.’ Is that legit?
CA homeowner stuck with $50K bill after neighbor’s tree crashes into her house. Insurer denies claim, argues it was ‘unforeseeable.’ Is that legit?

As extreme weather events become more frequent, homeowners are increasingly relying on property insurance as their last line of defense. But coverage can unravel quickly when an act of nature blurs legal boundaries. That’s what Castro Valley homeowner Angela Bereola recently discovered. Last year, heavy…
Renters insurance is a must-have: Protect your belongings for less than a coffee a day
Renters insurance is a must-have: Protect your belongings for less than a coffee a day

Millions of Americans have discovered the benefits of renters insurance. Because landlords aren’t liable for any personal possessions or activities in your apartment, these policies can provide an important safety net if something happens. “For less than the cost of a coffee a day, renters…
Liberty Mutual exiting condo, rental insurance market
Liberty Mutual exiting condo, rental insurance market

Liberty Mutual plans to stop offering condo and rental insurance policies in California over the next two years. One of the state’s largest insurers made three filings indicating the withdrawal of business in this category of coverage, the California Department of Insurance reported Dec. 20.…
Liberty Mutual company Safeco drops condo coverage and renters insurance
Liberty Mutual company Safeco drops condo coverage and renters insurance

Another major insurance company is trimming its risk by refusing to sell more insurance to multifamily developments. The insurance commissioner promised a more stable and affordable market, but what we have right now are cross currents, contradictions, and chaos. Safeco is a branch of Liberty…
How to stay in the know?
How to stay in the know?

Ask any person who’s survived a disaster and they’ll give you solid preparedness advice. UP’s consumer guidance draws heavily on those insights.  And while survivors won’t all agree on what to have in your “go bag,” everyone agrees on the value of timely emergency alerts.…
LA to consider prohibiting landlords from asking about criminal history
LA to consider prohibiting landlords from asking about criminal history

The Los Angeles City Council voted Tuesday to consider prohibiting landlords from inquiring about prospective tenants’ criminal history. Council members voted 11-0, with no discussion, to reactivate a motion seeking to establish a so-called “fair chance” housing ordinance. Council President Paul Krekorian and Councilman Curren…
This One Common Insurance Mistake Could Cost You Thousands, Experts Warn
This One Common Insurance Mistake Could Cost You Thousands, Experts Warn

REMEDY IT IMMEDIATELY TO KEEP THIS COSTLY ERROR FROM DRAINING YOUR BANK ACCOUNT. Across the U.S., there have been snowstorms in May and heatwaves in November, making it clear that the weather is getting harder and harder to plan for. When unpredictable weather strikes, having insurance can help protect…
Why You Should Buy Renters Insurance: 5 Things to Know
Why You Should Buy Renters Insurance: 5 Things to Know

The coverage is affordable and easy to buy, and provides a safety net if something goes wrong When the deep freeze hit Texas in February, Amani Elsawah was among the millions of residents who lost power and suffered water damage from burst frozen pipes. The…
How to Bundle Renters and Auto Insurance
How to Bundle Renters and Auto Insurance

Bundling is a common way to save money on most types of insurance policies, including renters insurance. When it comes time to renew your renters insurance policy or shop for a new one, it’s worth finding out if you can save money by bundling your…
Florida’s Insured Losses From Irma Reach Nearly $2B and Growing
Florida’s Insured Losses From Irma Reach Nearly $2B and Growing

Florida policyholders so far have filed nearly $2 billion in claims to insurers for damage from Hurricane Irma, the state’s insurance regulator said on Monday. The estimate of insured losses is based on preliminary statewide data that insurers filed with the Florida Office of Insurance…