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…
Their homes survived the historic LA area wildfires, but a year later they fear living in them
Their homes survived the historic LA area wildfires, but a year later they fear living in them

A year after devastating Los Angeles wildfires, homeowners in Altadena and Pacific Palisades face dangerous levels of lead, asbestos and other toxins in their surviving homes. Many are forced to live in contaminated environments as insurance companies resist covering proper remediation. “DANGER: Lead Work Area”…
LEFT IN RUINS Inside burnt-out LA ghost town a year on from deadly wildfires that destroyed thousands of celebrity homes & killed 12
LEFT IN RUINS Inside burnt-out LA ghost town a year on from deadly wildfires that destroyed thousands of celebrity homes & killed 12

Its been a year of heartbreak and worry since raging wildfires destroyed 7,000 homes – including those of celebrities like Anna Faris, Miles Teller, and Adam Brody – claimed dozens of lives and displaced nearly 100,000 residents. The cost of the devastation reached an estimated…
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…
We made a BIG impact in 2025!
We made a BIG impact in 2025!

“Your group and webinars are just amazing and most useful. The best resource and people we’ve encountered. We are so grateful for everything you do.” – Christine, 2025 LA Wildfire Survivor Roadmap to Recovery® Program Within a week of the wildfires that devastated Los Angeles,…
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…
California insurance reforms leaving homeowners uninsured
California insurance reforms leaving homeowners uninsured

SAN DIEGO — California’s insurance reforms, intended to bring relief to homeowners struggling with wildfire coverage, have instead resulted in higher rates and an increase in state homeowners without fire insurance. More than 10% of California homeowners don’t have fire insurance, according to a recent…
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…
For private flood insurance companies, the government shutdown is good for business
For private flood insurance companies, the government shutdown is good for business

Among those feeling the pain of the government shutdown are people in coastal areas and other locations where they need flood insurance. The government-backed National Flood Insurance Program stopped writing new policies on Oct. 1 and can’t resume until it’s reauthorized by Congress. That may…
Policyholder’s Notice Of Claim Does Not Satisfy Notice Requirement For Other Insureds
Policyholder’s Notice Of Claim Does Not Satisfy Notice Requirement For Other Insureds

The United States District Court for the Central District of California, applying California law, has held that coverage was barred for insureds who did not give timely notice, despite timely notice by the policyholder. Evanston Ins. Co. v. Frederick, 2025 WL 2019379 (C.D. Cal., June…
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…
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…