California Wildfires: Resource Links for Recovery and Insurance Claims

Southern California’s wildfires continue to burn throughout regions in LA County, displacing residents and destroying homes. High winds, dry climates, and water scarcity contributed to the rapid spread of these fires and the difficulty that fire departments face in containing them. As communities continue to evacuate from their homes, residents are not only having to navigate the traumatic aftermath of the natural disaster, but the complex legal process of filing insurance claims for damages and losses that are being incurred. This blog looks to share resources and information on both topics. 

Resources for Shelter and Evacuation 

If you or someone you know is a victim of the recent wave of wildfires in LA county and adjacent regions of Southern California, the following is a list of resources compiled by local and federal government agencies to aid in the process of recovery: 

1. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection | Evacuation Guide 
2. Los Angeles County Recovers | Wildfire Recovery Resources 
3. Los Angeles Emergency Management Department | Wildfire Recovery 
4. Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority | Resources to Support Those Affected by the LA Fires 
5. FEMA | California Wildfire Resources 

About California Property Insurance 

California’s troubled relationship with insurers is ongoing and well documented. The state’s natural climate is prone to wildfires, which raises concerns for many companies that offer residents property insurance. As a result, companies may choose to not insure particular houses and neighborhoods at all, leaving only a handful of options for homeowners to choose from (if even that). This leads to skyrocketing premiums as an increasing number of properties are flagged as high risk. In the wake of January’s wildfires, both old and new stories of insurance companies leaving the state and cancelling coverage for residents leading up to various wildfire outbreaks in the state are making headlines. Though property insurance companies cannot legally cancel policies last minute or for a number of reasons listed out in chapter 11 of the California Insurance Code, being uninsured and having no way to recover losses is unfortunately a likely scenario for many. 

These contributing factors encouraged the California Insurance Department to introduce initiatives over the past few years to protect consumers. The Sustainable Insurance Strategy, for example, aims to address the affordability and availability of insurance coverage in California. The plan directly addresses the limitations of 1988’s Prop 103, which similarly looked to protect residents and businesses in California from “arbitrary insurance rates and practices.” SB-824 is another initiative introduced by Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara that allows the department to impose  1-year moratoriums on insurance companies from cancelling and not renewing policies on disaster-stricken properties and properties within close proximity of them.  

A moratorium is currently in effect following this year’s wildfire outbreak, which also provides a notice to companies to halt policy cancellations and nonrenewals that were pending 90 days before January 7th and set to take effect after the fires started. Check on the Insurance Commissioner’s website to see if your property falls into the affected zip codes. Individuals can also submit questions and complaints to the department regarding their insurers and learn how to file a claim. 

While measures are being taken to address the woes of insurance companies and consumers within the state, more permanent and long-term solutions aren’t likely to be seen for another few years. The current moratorium is an example of the department’s commitment to helping protect residents, but it is also only a short-term solution that addresses a small part of the larger issue that exists. 

Research References 

CalMatters.Org  

Bland, Alastair. (2025, January 15). Literally off the charts’: LA’s critically dry conditions stun scientists as fires rage. 

Walters, Dan. (2021, September 12). California Wildfires Ignite an Insurance Crisis. 

 California Legislative Information 

Chapter 11 of California Insurance Code. Retrieved January 15, 2025.

 Insurance.CA.Gov 

(2025, January 15). Commissioner Lara expands moratorium protecting more wildfire survivors.  

(n.d). Mandatory One Year Moratorium on Non-Renewals. Retrieved January 15, 2025. 

(n.d). Prop 103 Consumer Intervenor Process. Retrieved January 15, 2025. 

(n.d). Residential Property Claims Guide. Retrieved January 15, 2025. 

(n.d). Sustainable Insurance Strategy Updates (2023-2024). Retrieved January 15, 2025. 

New York Times 

Flavelle, Christopher. (2025, January 8). California Wildfires Threaten Insurers Already Teetering From Climate Shocks