On April 6, 2024, the California Department of Insurance hosted a Wildfire and Disaster Insurance Town Hall via ZOOM to discuss wildfire insurance and the sustainable insurance strategy.   The town hall was hosted by Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, the LVMCOG (represented by Calabasas Mayor Alicia Weintraub, and Agoura Hills Mayor Pro Tem Penny Sylvester), Amy Bach, the Executive Director for United Policyholders, a nationally recognized advocate for policyholders and an expert on the insurance industry, and also Chief Daniel Berlant, who is the California State Fire Marshal, who oversees the State’s fire prevention programs ranging from building and fire code development, wildfire prevention and firefighter training certification.  Attendees were briefed on the current insurance market, wherein companies in major regions of California have stopped issuing new homeowner policies, leaving homeowners without options. While some agents continued to insure these homeowners, their rates skyrocketed. Many Californians have resorted to the California Fair Plan, which is characterized as the insurer of last resort. This plan offers less coverage for increased premium costs, and it was never intended to service so many Californians last year.  The Insurance Commissioner and Governor have drafted a sustainable insurance strategy, which they will now implement by the end of the year.

The meeting concluded with a question-and-answer forum. If you missed the Online Town Hall, you may access the Recording and view the event resources below.

If you have questions, please visit the California Department of Insurance Website or call 800-927-4357.

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