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Commissioner Lara Announces New Wildfire Safety and Insurance Protections for Californians

 

031924 CA Consumer Alert

October 13, 2025 - California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara today announced a sweeping package of new laws to protect homeowners, renters, businesses, and wildfire survivors across the state. These reforms aim to reduce wildfire risk, expand insurance access, and provide faster financial relief after disasters.

These new protections build on the Safer from Wildfires initiative, a groundbreaking insurance discount regulation enacted by Commissioner Lara in 2021 that outlines proven and achievable wildfire safety actions. Safer from Wildfires is the first plan of its kind in the nation, proactively created to mitigate wildfire risk before disasters occur.

Financial Help for Wildfire Safety Upgrades

  • AB 888 (Assembly Member Lisa Calderon) – California Safe Homes Act: Offers grants to help homeowners afford fire-safe roofs and “Zone Zero” mitigation (within 5 feet of the home).
  • Supports community-wide safety efforts and helps residents qualify for insurance discounts.

Stronger Insurance Discounts

  • AB 1 (Assembly Member Damon Connolly) – Insurance and Wildfire Safety Act: Requires regular updates to the Safer from Wildfires discount program to reflect the latest science and safety practices.
  • Ensures homeowners benefit from meaningful insurance savings when they take proactive safety steps.

Nation’s First Public Wildfire Risk Model

  • SB 429 (Senator Dave Cortese) – California Wildfire Public Catastrophe Model Act: Creates a transparent, publicly accessible wildfire risk model.
  • Helps communities, first responders, and homeowners understand and reduce wildfire risk.

Faster Payouts for Wildfire Survivors

  • SB 495 (Senator Ben Allen) – Eliminate “The List” Act: Guarantees 60% of contents coverage (up to $350,000) without requiring a detailed inventory after a total loss.
  • Extends the deadline to submit proof of loss to at least 100 days after a declared emergency.

Protection for Businesses and Non-Profits

  • SB 547 (Senators Sasha Renée Pérez and Susan Rubio) – Business Insurance Protection Act: Expands the insurance moratorium to include commercial policies, HOAs, affordable housing providers, and non-profits.
  • Prevents policy cancellations after wildfire emergencies.

FAIR Plan Financial Stability

  • AB 226 (Assembly Members Lisa Calderon and David Alvarez) – FAIR Plan Stability Act: Authorizes access to catastrophic bonds and credit lines to ensure timely claim payments.
  • Strengthens California’s insurer of last resort for high-risk areas.

Why It Matters

These laws are designed to:

  • Put money back in consumers’ pockets.
  • Make wildfire safety upgrades more affordable.
  • Ensure fair and transparent insurance practices.
  • Protect vulnerable communities and small businesses.
  • Stabilize California’s insurance market amid climate-driven risks.

“The Governor's signature complements the executive actions I have implemented and strengthens our efforts to empower consumers. My department will continue to advocate for homeowners, making it easier for them to prepare for and recover from wildfires,” said Commissioner Lara.

Need Help? Contact the California Department of Insurance Consumer Hotline: 1-800-927-4357 or visit insurance.ca.gov


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.

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