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…
Furious homeowner says her insurance company flew a drone over her house and refused renewal — for 1 minor reason
Furious homeowner says her insurance company flew a drone over her house and refused renewal — for 1 minor reason

When Lynne Schueler looked up at the branches of a beloved tree in her Massachusetts yard, she never expected that a drone might be looking down on her. Schueler, who had held a policy with the same insurer for more than a decade, was shocked…
Drones and aerial imaging raise new questions for homeowners and insurers
Drones and aerial imaging raise new questions for homeowners and insurers

California is pushing for homeowner rights as insurers use flying cameras for property assessments Why it matters: Flying cameras are changing how home insurers evaluate properties, raising questions about consumer rights and transparency. As California considers new disclosure rules, property owners face growing consequences from…
How Katrina became ‘the storm that told us what was to come’ for climate and insurance
How Katrina became ‘the storm that told us what was to come’ for climate and insurance

When Hurricane Katrina threatened New Orleans in August 2005, Mona Lisa Saloy thought she was safe. Saloy, an author and educator who also served for several years as Louisiana’s poet laureate, had inherited the 110-year-old “double shotgun” house in the mostly Black Seventh Ward where…
California’s 5th largest insurer files for a 6.9% rate increase: ‘It’s pretty insane’
California’s 5th largest insurer files for a 6.9% rate increase: ‘It’s pretty insane’

One of the state’s largest insurance companies is asking the state if they can raise its rates. The request is the latest in a string of carriers who have increased premiums in recent months. The California State Automobile Association, an insurance group affiliated with AAA,…
Special Event: United Policyholders webinar to bring Roadmap to Recovery® guidance and answers for households impacted by Hurricane Milton before the one-year anniversary of the disaster
Special Event: United Policyholders webinar to bring Roadmap to Recovery® guidance and answers for households impacted by Hurricane Milton before the one-year anniversary of the disaster

 Sarasota, FL – With support from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County’s Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund, the non-profit United Policyholders (UP) announced today that it will host a webinar on September 17th, 2025 in advance of the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Milton where an expert…
Using Social Media Strategically
Using Social Media Strategically

Your insurance company likely uses social media to promote their feel good, “we’re here for you” brand. That’s their business strategy. But if your insurance claim is not moving forward and/or you are being treated unfairly – it does not feel good. You need your…
Townhall Exposes Insurance Gaps After Palisades Fire as Residents Fear Future Coverage
Townhall Exposes Insurance Gaps After Palisades Fire as Residents Fear Future Coverage

After the Palisades Fire, people find they are underinsured, are not being paid for claims, or are having trouble receiving insurance money for smoke damage. The Palisades Recovery Coalition hosted an insurance townhall on August 24 to address problems and more. Other insurance issues include…
Insurance Informational Meeting Hosted by PRC
Insurance Informational Meeting Hosted by PRC

After the Palisades Fire, people find they are underinsured, are not being paid for claims, or are having trouble receiving insurance money for smoke damage. The Palisades Recovery Coalition hosted an insurance townhall on August 24 to address problems and more. Othe insurance issues include…
Flying Cameras Are Snapping Photos of Houses for Insurers. Will a California Bill Help Homeowners See Them?
Flying Cameras Are Snapping Photos of Houses for Insurers. Will a California Bill Help Homeowners See Them?

Airborne cameras are taking pictures of individual houses across the U.S. Insurance companies use the photos to inspect buildings after extreme weather, from hurricanes to hailstorms. But they also use them to determine which homes are too risky to insure. A bill in California—a state…
California moves to set nation’s first smoke damage insurance standard
California moves to set nation’s first smoke damage insurance standard

One of the most common insurance complaints after a fire comes from people whose homes are still standing but covered in potentially toxic soot. Because there is no state or federal standard for smoke damage, insurance companies often refuse to pay for cleanup, leaving victims…
Insuring the Future, A Confernce on Climate Change and Insurance, in Hartford September 30
Insuring the Future, A Confernce on Climate Change and Insurance, in Hartford September 30

The Connecticut Insurance Department (CID) and CT Insurance & Financial Services (CT IFS) are joining forces for this second annual Insuring the Future, to be held in Hartford on September 30. This collaborative effort will bring together insurance regulators, government leaders, and industry experts to…
California Insurance Bill – The Fight Over Public Adjuster Fees and Homeowner Payouts
California Insurance Bill – The Fight Over Public Adjuster Fees and Homeowner Payouts

What’s the real cost of AB 597? The proposed California bill is stirring up heated debates. Depending on who you ask, it’s either a game-changer or a disaster waiting to happen. On the surface, it’s all about “transparency” and reining in shady contracts. But dig…
A bad bill to rein in insurance adjusters? Proposed state law draws criticism
A bad bill to rein in insurance adjusters? Proposed state law draws criticism

After the devastating January firestorms left thousands of homeowners to grapple with their insurers over complicated claims for smoke damage and burned-down houses, many turned to public adjusters for help. The state-licensed professionals play a vital role in assisting policyholders in preparing property claims and…