Commissioner Lara orders insurance protections for more than 185,000 Californians following wildfire emergencies
Commissioner Lara orders insurance protections for more than 185,000 Californians following wildfire emergencies
Mandatory one-year moratorium prevents homeowners insurance cancellations and non-renewals in areas of Northern and Central California
August 14, 2024 —Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara issued a mandatory one-year moratorium on insurance companies to preserve residential insurance coverage for more than 185,000 policyholders affected by the Park, Borel, and Gold Complex fires. The Commissioner’s Bulletin shields those living within the perimeters or adjoining ZIP Codes of these fires from insurance non-renewal or cancellation for one year from the date of the Governor’s emergency declarations regardless of whether they suffered a loss
The Department of Insurance is deploying staff to wildfire disaster areas to assist survivors in filing claims and protect communities from potential insurance fraud and abuse. Consumer services experts are available in-person to answer questions at Local Assistance Centers and enforcement officers are on the ground in areas near the Park Fire, meeting with residents and coordinating with local law enforcement.
Visit the Department’s website to find information about Local Assistance Centers near you and view the Top 10 Tips for wildfire claimants to avoid becoming a victim of a scam, or call 800-927-4357 with any insurance-related question.
Commissioner Lara’s ability to issue these moratoriums is a result of a California law that he authored in 2018 while serving as a state senator in order to provide temporary relief from insurance non-renewals and cancellations to residents living within or adjacent to a gubernatorial-declared wildfire disaster.
|
“Homeowners plagued by devastating wildfires deserve the peace of mind that their home and future will remain covered by insurance as they recover and rebuild,” said Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara. “Protecting wildfire survivors from non-renewals is one of the many actions I am taking to implement proactive solutions that address the impacts of climate change and extreme wildfires on our communities.” —Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara
|
Led by Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, the California Department of Insurance is the consumer protection agency for the nation's largest insurance marketplace and safeguards all of the state’s consumers by fairly regulating the insurance industry. Under the Commissioner’s direction, the Department uses its authority to protect Californians from insurance rates that are excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory, oversee insurer solvency to pay claims, set standards for agents and broker licensing, perform market conduct reviews of insurance companies, resolve consumer complaints, and investigate and prosecute insurance fraud. Consumers are urged to call 1-800-927-4357 with any questions or contact us at www.insurance.ca.gov via webform or online chat. Non-media inquiries should be directed to the Consumer Hotline at 800-927-4357. Teletypewriter (TTY), please dial 800-482-4833.
