Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Insurance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
State insurance official urges support for wildfire and disaster‑recovery reforms
Summary
A California Department of Insurance outreach analyst told the San Bernardino City Council that wildfire risks and rising reinsurance costs are squeezing the insurance market and urged local support for bills to improve smoke‑damage standards, speed disaster recovery, and strengthen oversight of the FAIR Plan.
The San Bernardino City Council received a legislative update from Judith Pina, an outreach analyst with the California Department of Insurance, who outlined how rising wildfire frequency, inflationary rebuilding costs and higher reinsurance rates are placing strain on homeowners and insurers in California.
Pina described a series of state measures aimed at stabilizing the market and improving consumer protections. She highlighted the California Home Grant program (Assembly Bill 888), intended to help low‑income homeowners in high‑fire‑hazard areas pay for mitigation such as roofs and windows; AB 1795 (the Smoke Damage Recovery Act), which would create science‑based testing and restoration standards for smoke damage; SB 876, which would require disaster recovery plans by insurers, double penalties for unfair claims practices and mandate five‑day status updates when adjusters are reassigned; and a package dubbed the "Make It Fair" proposals to strengthen oversight and operational performance of the FAIR Plan.
Pina said the Department has recovered substantial sums for consumers through investigations into insurance complaints and encouraged residents to sign up for consumer alerts and use the department’s complaint hotline for claim problems or suspected unfair practices. She also described the California Low‑Cost Auto Insurance (CLCA) program and offered guidance on consumer resources and upcoming webinars the department will host on coverage topics.
Council members thanked the analyst and asked for clarifications about when AB 888 funds would be available locally and how the department maps "high fire" zones within the city. Pina said the application was still in process and encouraged residents to subscribe to department alerts; she did not have a city‑specific high‑hazard map at the podium but directed members to the department’s fire‑map resources.
The presentation was informational; no council action was taken.
