Testing for toxins in smoke-damaged homes could be mandatory. What to know
Testing for toxins in smoke-damaged homes could be mandatory. What to know

When the January 2025 firestorms swept through Altadena and Pacific Palisades they not only burned down homes but left thousands still standing riddled with smoke damage. The disaster set the stage for lawsuits by fire victims who alleged their homes were filled with toxic contaminants,…
California bill proposes statewide rules for wildfire smoke insurance claims
California bill proposes statewide rules for wildfire smoke insurance claims

California lawmakers introduced legislation designed to standardize how insurers handle wildfire smoke damage claims. The proposal follows major fires that contaminated thousands of homes across the state. Officials describe the proposal as the first statewide framework in the United States addressing insurance claims related specifically…
Thirty-two Groups Urge Insurance Commissioner to Withdraw Proposed Intervenor Regulations; Rules Would Undermine $530 Million State Farm Settlement, Say Consumer Watchdog
Thirty-two Groups Urge Insurance Commissioner to Withdraw Proposed Intervenor Regulations; Rules Would Undermine $530 Million State Farm Settlement, Say Consumer Watchdog

LOS ANGELES, March 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A broad statewide coalition of 32 consumer protection, labor, senior, immigrant, low-income, and public advocacy organizations urged Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara to withdraw proposed regulations that would significantly restrict independent public participation in insurance rate proceedings. The coalition…
California’s next insurance commissioner will have ‘brutal’ balancing act
California’s next insurance commissioner will have ‘brutal’ balancing act

In November, Californians will vote for “the second-hardest job in the state behind the governor.” That’s according to someone who has held the job twice: John Garamendi, who was the state’s first elected insurance commissioner in the 1990s and served again in the early 2000s.…
California’s next insurance commissioner will have ‘brutal’ balancing act
California’s next insurance commissioner will have ‘brutal’ balancing act

In November, Californians will vote for “the second-hardest job in the state behind the governor.” That’s according to someone who has held the job twice: John Garamendi, who was the state’s first elected insurance commissioner in the 1990s and served again in the early 2000s.…
CA insurance commissioner Challenges facing next person to hold office
CA insurance commissioner Challenges facing next person to hold office

In November, Californians will vote for “the second-hardest job in the state behind the governor.” That’s according to someone who has held the job twice: John Garamendi, who was the state’s first elected insurance commissioner in the 1990s and served again in the early 2000s.…
Close to Home: Weighing a mandate to insure fire-safe homes – The Press Democrat
Close to Home: Weighing a mandate to insure fire-safe homes – The Press Democrat

As a region that’s been impacted by past wildfires, North Bay communities know firsthand that insurance matters — a lot. Today’s insurance marketplace is more complicated and challenging for property owners than ever before, and there’s a lot of work and thought going into solutions.…
AI and Insurance Policy Interpretation After Snell v. United Specialty: What Policyholders Need to Know
AI and Insurance Policy Interpretation After Snell v. United Specialty: What Policyholders Need to Know

The decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit in Snell v. United Specialty Insurance Co. will be cited often for its holdings on policy interpretation and insurance applications under Alabama law. Perhaps the most groundbreaking analysis, likely to have long-term ramifications…
Insurance Reform in Hawaii
Insurance Reform in Hawaii

This blog was written by Sherry Peterson, UP’s Roadmap to Recovery Liaison on Maui I began working with United Policyholders in March 2024 as the Roadmap to Recovery (R2R) Liaison and an Equal Justice Fellow. My work focused on helping Maui wildfire survivors navigate insurance…
Will Disaster Insurance Overhaul Increase Protections For Future Survivors?
Will Disaster Insurance Overhaul Increase Protections For Future Survivors?

Hawaiʻi consumers would have additional protections folded into their insurance coverage after a disaster declaration if a bundle of new Senate bills introduced this session are codified into law. While the reforms would not provide immediate help to policyholders still navigating the labyrinth of insurance…
NAIC ANNOUNCES 2026 CONSUMER LIAISON REPRESENTATIVES
NAIC ANNOUNCES 2026 CONSUMER LIAISON REPRESENTATIVES

he National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) recently named 43 consumer liaison representatives for 2026. NAIC Members have long valued the voices of consumer representatives, who provide unique perspectives and insights in the NAIC’s proceedings. Regulatory policy work informed by a variety of stakeholders leads…
Proposal to require state oversight of insurance affiliate payments clears first hurdle in Legislature
Proposal to require state oversight of insurance affiliate payments clears first hurdle in Legislature

Property insurance companies would face increased scrutiny by state regulators over payments they make to parent and affiliate companies — which critics say can be used to cloud profits and justify rate increases — under a bill unanimously supported by a House insurance committee. Supporters…
Proposal to require state oversight of insurance affiliate payments clears first hurdle in Legislature
Proposal to require state oversight of insurance affiliate payments clears first hurdle in Legislature

Property insurance companies would face increased scrutiny by state regulators over payments they make to parent and affiliate companies — which critics say can be used to cloud profits and justify rate increases — under a bill unanimously supported by a House insurance committee. Supporters…
Reed Smith’s Insurance Recovery Group Named Law360’s 2025 Practice Group of the Year
Reed Smith’s Insurance Recovery Group Named Law360’s 2025 Practice Group of the Year

Global law firm Reed Smith announced that its Insurance Recovery Group was named as a 2025 Practice Group of the Year by Law360, honoring the team for their significant litigation wins for policyholders this past year. This highly regarded policyholder-side team within Reed Smith’s global…
California fire victims say fighting with insurance companies has delayed rebuilding
California fire victims say fighting with insurance companies has delayed rebuilding

Nine months had passed since a wildfire destroyed Mark Johnson’s southern California home, and he was still waiting for State Farm to pay his claim. Desperate for a resolution, Johnson asked the insurer in October to negotiate a settlement so his family could rebuild. “I…
California fire victims say slow insurance payouts have stalled efforts to rebuild
California fire victims say slow insurance payouts have stalled efforts to rebuild

California fire victims say they’re struggling to rebuild because insurance payouts have been slow or insufficient. Some lawmakers say home insurance is failing those facing climate change. Transcript: MICHEL MARTIN, HOST: A year after wildfires began sweeping across Los Angeles County, many homeowners are just…
Many L.A. fire survivors face insurance delays and can’t return home a year later
Many L.A. fire survivors face insurance delays and can’t return home a year later

A year after the deadly Los Angeles County fires, California’s property insurance market remains problematic; survivors are suing insurers over delayed or denied claims; and most of the state’s policyholders are likely to see their premiums rise. Seven in 10 L.A. fire survivors have yet…
Guest Blog: Will New York Ever Become a Bad Faith State?
Guest Blog: Will New York Ever Become a Bad Faith State?

Guest Blog by: Garrett J. Coleman J.D., Class of 2025, University of Virginia School of Law As it stands now, New York insureds have few options when they are wrongfully denied coverage or face unjustified delays from their insurers.  While New York does regulate the conduct of…