Garden Grove Evacuation Highlights Insurance Claim Challenges Following Chemical Tank Emergency
Garden Grove Evacuation Highlights Insurance Claim Challenges Following Chemical Tank Emergency

Residents evacuated during last month’s chemical tank crisis in Garden Grove, California, are reporting difficulties recovering evacuation-related expenses, with some insurance claims denied despite mandatory evacuation orders. On May 22, authorities ordered evacuations in parts of Orange County after firefighters warned that a tank containing…
Evacuees face hurdles with insurance claims following Garden Grove chemical tank crisis
Evacuees face hurdles with insurance claims following Garden Grove chemical tank crisis

Residents forced to evacuate parts of Orange County last month after a chemical tank crisis in Garden Grove say they are struggling to recover out-of-pocket costs, with some insurance claims quickly denied. A fund created to support about 50,000 affected residents has stopped accepting applications…
Inside California’s Home Insurance Squeeze: Higher Bills, Fewer Choices
Inside California’s Home Insurance Squeeze: Higher Bills, Fewer Choices

After the LA fires, a $1 billion bill landed on providers and their customers; costs jumped 84% over 6 years, Stanford data shows. In A Nutshell Average monthly home insurance premiums for California single-family homes rose 84% between 2020 and 2026 (45% after inflation), about…
California Homeowners Face New Wildfire Deductibles
California Homeowners Face New Wildfire Deductibles

Some California homeowners are now facing new wildfire deductibles in their insurance policies, causing concern among residents and officials. Attorney Shant Karnikian, who represents Los Angeles residents affected by last year’s fires, discovered a $621,000 wildfire deductible in a client’s AIG insurance policy. This is…
Some California homeowners now face ‘wildfire deductibles.’ Why that’s a problem.
Some California homeowners now face ‘wildfire deductibles.’ Why that’s a problem.

After a Washington Post inquiry, Michael Soller, deputy commissioner of communications for the California Department of Insurance, indicated Commissioner Ricardo Lara will launch a review of these insurance policies. Read more.
Homeowners face crushing insurance cost increases
Homeowners face crushing insurance cost increases

Homeowners insurance premiums climbed 24% nationwide between 2021 and 2024, with the steepest increases hitting inland states like Utah and Illinois rather than the hurricane-prone coasts. Communities that were once considered low risk for insurance pricing are now facing double-digit rate increases. Higher construction costs…
Battle over smoke-damaged homes from LA County wildfires could reshape fire insurance
Battle over smoke-damaged homes from LA County wildfires could reshape fire insurance

The outcome could have ramifications nationwide and either open the door to billions in additional claims or slam the door shut for homeowners. Read more.
Insurance Commissioner candidates stump for votes at the beach
Insurance Commissioner candidates stump for votes at the beach

As wildfire recovery continues across communities including Pacific Palisades, Malibu and Altadena, the race for California Insurance Commissioner has evolved beyond discussions of premiums and policies into something much larger; a debate over who gets rebuilt, how quickly communities recover and whether California’s insurance system…
Firewise leaders push for regional emergency preparedness
Firewise leaders push for regional emergency preparedness

More than 150 wildfire preparedness leaders, residents and fire safety professionals from across Southern California gathered in Calabasas May 9 for a regional Firewise Leader workshop focused on helping neighborhoods better prepare for increasingly severe wildfire seasons. The gathering at the Calabasas Community Center invited…
California FAIR Plan set to increase rates for most policyholders
California FAIR Plan set to increase rates for most policyholders

California’s home insurance plan of last resort is set to increase rates for policyholders later this year. California FAIR Plan announced an average 30% rate increase for policyholders, according to multiple reports. The San Francisco Chronicle reported that rates, which are set to change after…
This S.F. homeowner lost insurance because of a flat roof. Could it happen to you?
This S.F. homeowner lost insurance because of a flat roof. Could it happen to you?

California’s largest insurers cover certain types of roofs and avoid others. Wood-shake roofs and old roofs are also common concerns. Read more
Insurance commissioner candidates float bigger California role
Insurance commissioner candidates float bigger California role

A few of the candidates vying to be California’s next insurance commissioner want to address the insurance crisis by having the state take a bigger financial role. Some of the problems they’re trying to solve include: Not all insurance companies will write new policies in…
Policyholders Win In Calif. Water Leak Precedent Ruling
Policyholders Win In Calif. Water Leak Precedent Ruling

Policyholder advocates in California won a significant victory on Thursday when a state appeals court said litigators can cite a recent ruling that could give legal guidance in disputes over whether… Read more
Two Coasts, Two Wins For Policyholders In Environmental Coverage Disputes
Two Coasts, Two Wins For Policyholders In Environmental Coverage Disputes

Two recent court decisions on opposite coasts have delivered significant victories for policyholders seeking environmental insurance coverage, establishing important precedents for coverage disputes… Read more Two recent federal appellate decisions – one from the Second Circuit, one from the Ninth – will be useful tools…
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…
State Farm May Lose Its California License. Here’s What That Means for Homeowners
State Farm May Lose Its California License. Here’s What That Means for Homeowners

California is pursuing historic legal action against its largest home insurer, but for wildfire survivors still waiting on claims, the question is whether that means relief In the aftermath of Los Angeles’ devastating 2025 wildfire season, California regulators have taken their most aggressive action yet…
The Good Neighbor is in the Dog House
The Good Neighbor is in the Dog House

According to the Insurance Information Institute, State Farm insures nearly a fifth of all homes in the United States. Let that sink in. One insurance company holds the financial health of one fifth of all the homeowners in America in their hands. So the claim…
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…