MEDIA ADVISORY: SENATOR CORTESE’S SENATE BILL 429 WILL ESTABLISH NATION’S FIRST WILDFIRE CATASTROPHE PUBLIC MODEL
MEDIA ADVISORY: SENATOR CORTESE’S SENATE BILL 429 WILL ESTABLISH NATION’S FIRST WILDFIRE CATASTROPHE PUBLIC MODEL

SAN JOSE, CA –California State Senator Dave Cortese (D-San Jose) will host a press conference highlighting the successful passage of his Senate Bill 429 (SB 429) this past year. The press conference will be held in front of CAL FIRE’s Fire Hawk helicopter helipad. SB…
‘We feel alone’: L.A. fire survivors call for California’s insurance commissioner to resign
‘We feel alone’: L.A. fire survivors call for California’s insurance commissioner to resign

Survivors of the deadly Los Angeles County fires, some of whom have been unable to rebuild because their insurance claims have been delayed or denied, are calling for California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara to resign. Lara, a former state lawmaker, has one year left in…
Rep. Carter Introduces Bill to Retroactively Restore Flood Insurance Coverage and Retain Current Rates for Policyholders Impacted by Republican Shutdown
Rep. Carter Introduces Bill to Retroactively Restore Flood Insurance Coverage and Retain Current Rates for Policyholders Impacted by Republican Shutdown

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA) and Congressman Mike Ezell (R-MS), introduced H.R. 5848, theNFIP Retroactive Renewal and Reauthorization Act, legislation to backdate reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to September 30, 2025, while extending the program’s authorization until…
Rep. Carter Introduces Bill to Retroactively Restore Flood Insurance Coverage and Retain Current Rates for Policyholders Impacted by Republican Shutdown
Rep. Carter Introduces Bill to Retroactively Restore Flood Insurance Coverage and Retain Current Rates for Policyholders Impacted by Republican Shutdown

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA) and Congressman Mike Ezell (R-MS), introduced H.R. 5848, theNFIP Retroactive Renewal and Reauthorization Act, legislation to backdate reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to September 30, 2025, while extending the program’s authorization until…
BUT IT’S NOT FAIR!
BUT IT’S NOT FAIR!

California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara wants to get you off the FAIR plan as soon as possible. His goal is to bring traditional fire insurance companies back to the California market, making these plans affordable and accessible, he said in an online public town hall…
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…
Where We Stand: A Homeowners Insurance Bill of Rights
Where We Stand: A Homeowners Insurance Bill of Rights

The increasing frequency of extreme weather events, combined with the rising cost of repairs and building materials, has destabilized the home insurance market. Homeowners increasingly face skyrocketing premium prices, and many are losing coverage as insurance companies pull out of regional markets altogether. At the…
New California laws aim to stabilize state’s wildfire insurance market
New California laws aim to stabilize state’s wildfire insurance market

The recent rains may have lowered the threat of wildfire in the area, but the problem of maintaining fire insurance is a year-round problem for many in California. As a result, a number of new laws have just been adopted that aim to stabilize the…
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…
Wildfire safety leads Commissioner Lara’s agenda as Governor Newsom signs sponsored bills
Wildfire safety leads Commissioner Lara’s agenda as Governor Newsom signs sponsored bills

Putting money in people’s pockets, strengthening incentives, and introducing the nation’s first public wildfire model SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara announced new wildfire safety protections for California consumers as Governor Gavin Newsom signed three critical bills aimed at enhancing mitigation efforts, reducing risk,…
Experts to address insurance crisis at Willits wildfire forum
Experts to address insurance crisis at Willits wildfire forum

With wildfire season looming and insurance rates climbing, Mendocino residents are invited to a free community event aimed at cutting through confusion and offering practical solutions. The Willits Wildfire and Insurance Forum & Fair takes place Thursday, Oct. 9, at 5:30 p.m. at the new…
After insurance pullback, advocates demand a ‘bill of rights’ for California policyholders
After insurance pullback, advocates demand a ‘bill of rights’ for California policyholders

A leading consumer group is proposing a policyholder rights initiative that would require insurers to offer coverage to California homeowners who fireproof their homes — or lose the right to sell home or auto insurance in the state for five years. Read more.
California’s insurer of last resort would face more scrutiny under bill heading to Newsom’s desk
California’s insurer of last resort would face more scrutiny under bill heading to Newsom’s desk

In the closing days of the legislative year, California lawmakers sent Gov. Gavin Newsom a bill that is meant to toughen scrutiny of the state’s embattled fire insurer of last resort by insisting that two of their leaders join its governing committee. Assembly Bill 234…
Bill to Increase Oversight of California’s FAIR Plan Awaits Newsom
Bill to Increase Oversight of California’s FAIR Plan Awaits Newsom

California lawmakers have passed Assembly Bill 234, which aims to increase scrutiny of the state’s FAIR Plan, the insurer of last resort for homeowners who cannot secure policies from other companies. The bill now awaits the signature of Governor Gavin Newsom. The legislation proposes adding…
California’s insurer of last resort would face more scrutiny under bill heading to Newsom’s desk
California’s insurer of last resort would face more scrutiny under bill heading to Newsom’s desk

Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism. Keep up with LAist. If you’re enjoying this article, you’ll love…
NAACP Pasadena Acts to Prepare Vulnerable Communities for Next Disaster
NAACP Pasadena Acts to Prepare Vulnerable Communities for Next Disaster

September workshop asks the question haunting fire survivors: “If you had 30 minutes to evacuate, do you know what you would take?” The January Eaton Fire didn’t just burn structures—it exposed how catastrophically unprepared locate communities were for natural climate disasters, with widespread underinsurance a…
Senator Dave Cortese’s Bill to Establish the Nation’s First Catastrophic Model for Wildfires Passes the Assembly
Senator Dave Cortese’s Bill to Establish the Nation’s First Catastrophic Model for Wildfires Passes the Assembly

As wildfires continue to break out throughout California, Senator Dave Cortese’s SB 429 will help homeowners understand their property’s wildfire risk. It creates the nation’s first-of-its-kind public wildfire catastrophe model to assess wildfire risk and help inform insurance rates. “My bill establishes a public wildfire catastrophe…