Daily P&C Insurance Agent News
- May 23, 2026
- Tony Veteto
Daily Property & Casualty Insurance News – California
Curated headlines on carriers, regulation, and market trends impacting California P&C insurance.
Farmers Returns to California Homeowners Market With Conditional New Business Writing
Published: May 22, 2026 – Insurance Journal
Farmers Insurance has resumed writing a limited amount of new homeowners policies in select California ZIP codes under tighter wildfire and risk selection guidelines following prior pullbacks. The move signals cautious carrier re‑entry as the state implements regulatory reforms intended to balance rate adequacy with consumer protections.
California Insurance Commissioner, Lawmakers Unveil Plan to Speed Up Property Rate Approvals
Published: May 21, 2026 – CalMatters
California officials have announced a legislative and regulatory package to modernize the state’s Proposition 103 rate‑review process, including timelines and expanded use of catastrophe models, in response to carriers’ retreat from the property market. The proposal aims to stabilize availability by giving insurers more flexibility to price wildfire and climate risk while retaining consumer oversight.
California Weighs Expanding FAIR Plan as Wildfire Risk Pushes More Homeowners Out of Standard Market
Published: May 20, 2026 – Los Angeles Times
State leaders are considering expansions of the California FAIR Plan after enrollment surged in high‑fire‑risk regions, straining the residual market’s capacity and assessments on participating insurers. Proposals include higher coverage limits and mitigation‑linked incentives, raising questions for agents about placement strategies and the long‑term sustainability of the backstop program.
California Drivers Face Auto Insurance Shortages and Longer Claims Delays Amid Market Strain
Published: May 19, 2026 – San Francisco Chronicle
Personal auto consumers in California are encountering fewer carrier options, higher premiums, and lengthier claims cycle times as inflation, repair costs, and regulatory friction pressure insurers. Agents report increased remarketing and non‑renewal issues, prompting calls for regulatory flexibility on rates and underwriting to prevent further market contraction.
Reinsurers Push Higher Prices for California Wildfire Exposure, Squeezing Primary Carriers
Published: May 18, 2026 – Reuters
Global reinsurers are demanding higher rates, tighter terms, and increased retentions on California wildfire programs ahead of mid‑year renewals, increasing capital costs for primary insurers. The shift is expected to feed through to retail pricing and capacity decisions, influencing which risks agents can place in both admitted and surplus lines markets.