Daily California P&C Insurance News

AB 888 establishes the California Safe Homes Grant Program to help low- and moderate-income homeowners fund ember-resistant work in Zone Zero and fire-safe roof replacements. This intersects with new requirements for residential policies to include at least 10% building code upgrade coverage starting July 1, 2026.[1]

SB 495 mandates insurers pay 60% of contents coverage limits (up to $350,000) to wildfire total loss survivors without an item-by-item inventory, extending proof of loss deadlines to 100 days post-emergency. Policyholders also receive advances for four months of living expenses, with ALE coverage lasting 24-36 months.[1][2]

AB 226 allows the California FAIR Plan to access catastrophe bonds and credit lines for reliable claims payments after disasters. FAIR Plan policyholders gain the same rebuilding timelines, ALE extensions, and relocation protections as standard policies.[1]

SB 547 extends one-year non-renewal prohibitions post-fire to businesses, HOAs, condos, affordable housing, and nonprofits. This builds on homeowner protections amid climate-driven insurance challenges in California.[2]

Senate Bill 876 requires insurers to submit disaster recovery plans for CDI review, doubles penalties for fair claims violations during emergencies, and expands ALE limits by 100%. It mandates quick actual cash value payments post-total loss and guaranteed replacement cost offers.[3]