Daily Property & Casualty Insurance News

California Edition

California Headlines

Wildfire Mitigation
Published: December 2025
New California insurance laws taking effect in 2026: What policyholders need to know

The California Safe Homes Act (AB 888) provides state grants for fire-hardening homes, including Zone Zero mitigation like clearing combustibles and upgrading vents. Residential policies renewed after July 1, 2026, must include at least 10% building code upgrade coverage as additional protection for wildfire rebuilding.[1]

Contents Coverage
Published: January 2026
New California Insurance Laws on the Books in 2026

The Eliminate “The List” Act (SB 495) requires insurers to pay 60% of contents coverage limits, up to $350,000, to wildfire survivors with total losses without an item-by-item inventory. This eases the emotional and logistical burden on policyholders following disasters.[2]

Non-Renewals
Published: January 2026
The Business Insurance Protection Act (SB 547)

SB 547 extends California’s one-year wildfire non-renewal moratorium to commercial properties, HOAs, condos, affordable housing, and nonprofits. This provides critical stability for businesses and organizations in fire-prone areas.[2]

FAIR Plan
Published: December 2025
The FAIR Plan Stability Act (AB 226)

AB 226 equips the California FAIR Plan with liquidity tools like catastrophe bonds and lines of credit to pay claims promptly after disasters without assessments on other insurers. This strengthens the insurer of last resort for high-risk properties.[1]

Disaster Recovery
Published: January 7, 2026
California Bill Would Require Insurer Claims Handling Plans

Senate Bill 876 mandates disaster recovery plans from insurers, doubles penalties for fair claims violations during emergencies, and expands upfront payments and living expense limits for wildfire survivors. The bill responds to calls for faster claims processing amid ongoing recovery challenges.[3]