California

Insurance companies have abandoned some California neighborhoods at lower risk of burning.

The state's regulator and a leading consumer advocacy group are parties to the settlement, which also addresses non-renewals following the January 2025 wildfires.

SB 1301 and SB 1076, addressing home insurance non-renewals, follow earlier proposals about smoke claim damage standards, the state's home insurance of last resort, and standards for prompt payment of claims. Also, insurance commissioner clarifies restrictions on consumer advocate compensation.

California AB 1795, the Smoke Damage Recovery Act, would make home insurance more expensive and push more policyholders onto the state's insurer of last resort, according to an insurance industry attorney.

California assembly insurance committee chair and the state's insurance commissioner propose measure to improve claims handling, coverage options and transparency for wildfire survivors.

Insurance commissioner Ricardo Lara, responding on social media, said tariffs and ICE raids are making rebuilding more difficult. Advocates also point to federal disaster relief that has been held back.

Legislation cites non-renewals based on "inaccurate, outdated or misleading images."

Representatives of both insurers and policyholders point out multiple flaws in the new laws and additional proposed bills.

Representatives of both insurers and policyholders point out issues with market forces and challenges to addressing coverage costs.

Insurers point to billions of dollars in claims paid, while wildfire survivors advocates say many haven't yet received what they are due.

New proposed legislation focuses on accelerating wildfire catastrophe claims payments, transparency of claims decisions, penalties for insurers delaying claims payments.

The changing climate is increasing insurance rates for residents and cities and lowering property values in areas that face more frequent and intense disasters.

Representatives of the insurance industry called the proposal too speculative and prescriptive, while consumer and environmental advocates say it doesn't go far enough.

Municipal bond insurance volume grew 17.7% year-over-year in the first three quarters of 2025, according to LSEG, outpacing the municipal market as a whole.

Edison International Chief Executive Officer Pedro Pizarro said it is likely that the company's utility equipment could be found to be associated with the start of the deadly Eaton Fire.

Several insurance and wildfire-related bills were signed into law October 10, including authorization for bonds to finance California's insurer of last resort.

Hedge funds speculating on wildfire insurance claims in California were just dealt a legal blow.

California governor's executive order tasks insurance regulator and other state agencies to make recommendations on mitigating wildfires, insurance affordability and availability, expediting insurance claims and more.

California insurance commissioner Ricardo Lara proposes stricter standards for Consumer Watchdog's compensation in representing home insurance policyholders against insurers' rate increase proposals.

AB 226, still subject to governor's approval, allows likely $1 billion of borrowing to cope with strains on the state's insurer of last resort.