California P&C Insurance Briefing: Smoke Damage Protections, FAIR Plan Changes and Rising Climate Risk
- October 5, 2026
- Tony Veteto
California P&C Insurance Briefing: Smoke Damage Protections, FAIR Plan Changes and Rising Climate Risk
California P&C Insurance Briefing: Smoke Damage Protections, FAIR Plan Changes and Rising Climate Risk
Daily coverage of developments affecting California insurance agents, carriers and policyholders.
California Property & Casualty News
Home Insurance
California Governor Signs Act Creating Smoke Damage Presumption
October 5, 2026
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation establishing standards for investigating, testing and restoring smoke-damaged homes after wildfires. The law creates a presumption that smoke damage in a wildfire impact area resulted from the wildfire and requires insurers to address testing, inspections, additional living expenses and restoration timelines.
Catastrophe
October Heat Wave Tests California Fire Defenses Ahead of FAIR Plan Rate Increase
September 30, 2026
An extended heat wave is expected to bring unusually high temperatures to Southern California, increasing concern about wildfire conditions. The weather event arrives shortly before the California FAIR Plan’s average 29.1% rate increase for dwelling policies takes effect on October 15.
Insurance Regulation
Debate Intensifies Over California’s Insurance Market Strategy
September 24, 2026
A proposed plan to reshape California’s insurance market is drawing criticism as the FAIR Plan prepares to increase rates for new and renewing customers. The article highlights the plan’s reliance on reinsurance, bonds and assessments, along with the state’s strategy allowing catastrophe models and reinsurance costs in rate filings when insurers expand coverage in wildfire-distressed areas.
Flood Insurance
California Insurance Commissioner Urges Consumers to Prepare for El Niño Storms
September 22, 2026
Commissioner Ricardo Lara urged Californians to review their coverage before potentially severe El Niño-related flooding, mudslides and debris flows. The advisory notes that standard homeowners and renters policies generally exclude flooding and encourages consumers to consider flood insurance, which commonly has a 30-day waiting period.
Wildfire Insurance
Insurers Begin Writing More California Homeowners Policies Amid Wildfire Market Changes
September 23, 2026
Some insurers are beginning to write new California homeowners policies after years of restricting business in areas with elevated wildfire risk. The state’s Sustainable Insurance Strategy permits the use of catastrophe models and reinsurance costs in rate filings when insurers meet commitments to expand coverage in high-risk communities.
Prepared for insurance agents and property and casualty professionals following California market developments.