Department sponsored bills protecting wildfire survivors pass first test

News: 2018 Press Release

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones issued the following statement after three department sponsored bills designed to strengthen consumer protections for wildfire survivors cleared the Senate Insurance Committee despite stiff opposition from the insurance lobby:

“SB 894 (Dodd), SB 897 (McGuire), and SB 1291 (Dodd) would bring much needed relief for consumers and reforms to the insurance industry. I am pleased that the Senate Insurance Committee recognized the need for these consumer protection bills. I am hopeful that despite the insurance industry’s continuing efforts to defeat these bills and confound survivors with insurer red tape, the Senate will understand these are common sense legislative proposals desperately needed not only to protect the thousands of wildfire survivors currently struggling to recover and rebuild, but every homeowner when a disaster strikes California.

Thank you to Senators Dodd and McGuire for their steadfast dedication to doing everything they possibly can to help wildfire survivors in their efforts to move on with their lives and begin the long rebuilding process. They have been fantastic partners in this effort. Their constituents and all consumers should be proud of what their bills are trying to accomplish and their tireless efforts on behalf of survivors.

And, most importantly, thank you to the brave wildfire survivors who joined us in speaking out for this important legislation and bravely sharing their tragic stories of loss. I am honored to stand with them and to continue to fight for them to ensure they are protected in their efforts to move forward with their lives.”

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Media Notes:

•  Full video of joint press conference with Commissioner Jones, Senator Dodd, Senator McGuire and wildfire survivors.
•  SB 894 and SB 897 move next to the full Senate for a floor vote no later than June 1. SB 1291 moves to the Appropriations committee.