LA residents still battling toxic hazards a year after historic wildfires
LA residents still battling toxic hazards a year after historic wildfires

ALTADENA, Calif. — “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…
Their homes sur­vived the his­toric L.A. area wild­fires A year later, they fear liv­ing in them
Their homes sur­vived the his­toric L.A. area wild­fires A year later, they fear liv­ing in them

ALTADENA, Calif. — “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…
How a Chronicle photographer documented the invisible aftermath of the Eaton Fire
How a Chronicle photographer documented the invisible aftermath of the Eaton Fire

It’s an unsettling scene: A person in a bunny suit and respirator steps gingerly through the living room of a well-worn home, a Christmas tree strung with ornaments still standing in the corner. Like any good image, this photo prompts all sorts of questions for…
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…
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…
Top Property Insurance Trends To Watch In 2026
Top Property Insurance Trends To Watch In 2026

Homeowners insurance investigations, a novel climate suit accusing oil majors of contributing to high premiums, and a California action accusing carriers of collusion are some of the top property insurance matters attorneys will be watching next year. Read more.
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…
New insurance laws: Will they help homeowners?
New insurance laws: Will they help homeowners?

What we know: As the struggle with cost, availability of policies with adequate coverage at a price that doesn’t break homeowners’ backs continues, there has been progress and movement, but insurers still maintain the upper hand. Perhaps the most important change for homeowners is that…
Nevada’s New Wildfire Law Signals a Shift in Property Insurance Risk Allocation
Nevada’s New Wildfire Law Signals a Shift in Property Insurance Risk Allocation

Beginning January 1, 2026, Nevada home insurers will be permitted to remove wildfire coverage from standard homeowners policies. The new law, passed by the Nevada Legislature this fall, clarifies that insurers have statutory authority to exclude wildfire losses while also allowing them to offer wildfire-only…
Nevada Law Lets Insurers Drop Wildfire Coverage; Is California Next?
Nevada Law Lets Insurers Drop Wildfire Coverage; Is California Next?

Starting January 1, 2026, a new law in Nevada will allow home insurers to exclude wildfire coverage from standard homeowners policies. Passed by the Nevada Legislature, this law will permit insurers to offer wildfire-only policies, marking a significant shift in how property insurance is handled…
Home insurance costs soar in North Bay
Home insurance costs soar in North Bay

Sonoma County’s median rate for home insurance premiums shot up more over the past decade than in any other part of the ninecounty Bay Area, while Lake and Mendocino counties, where wildfires have exacted a wider if not deeper toll, have seen rates climb even…
Court rejects bid to beef up policies issued by California’s home insurer of last resort
Court rejects bid to beef up policies issued by California’s home insurer of last resort

Retired nurse Nancy Reed has been through the ringer trying to get insurance for her home next to a San Diego County nature preserve. First, she was dropped by her longtime carrier and forced onto the state’s insurer of last resort, the California FAIR Plan,…
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…
North Bay communities see some of the highest home insurance price increases
North Bay communities see some of the highest home insurance price increases

Premium costs in Lake and Mendocino counties have risen at more than double the state median rate over the last decade, new data shows. Read more
Policyholders Should Negotiate To Limit AI Exclusions At Renewal
Policyholders Should Negotiate To Limit AI Exclusions At Renewal

As renewal season approaches, policyholders should be on the lookout for broad artificial intelligence exclusions across all lines of coverage. In the last year, news of insurance companies inserting increasingly expansive AI exclusions has spread. Risks associated with AI are becoming increasingly widespread and sophisticated.…