Daily Property & Casualty Insurance News

California Edition

California Headlines

Property Insurance Regulation
January 2026
New California Insurance Laws on the Books in 2026

A new suite of California laws aimed at improving property insurance took effect on January 1, focusing on wildfire safety and consumer protections. The legislation increases transparency and customer convenience amid rising climate-driven disasters that make insurance more expensive and less available.[1]

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

Senate Bill 876, the Disaster Recovery Reform Act, requires insurers to submit disaster recovery plans and doubles penalties for claims violations during emergencies. It expands policy limits for living expenses, up-front payments, and replacement cost coverage to speed recovery for wildfire survivors.[2]

Wildfire Moratorium
2026 Press Release
Commissioner Lara Protects Nearly 150,000 Californians in Kern, Santa Barbara Counties from Non-Renewals

Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara ordered insurers to preserve coverage for over 147,000 policyholders in areas affected by the Gifford Fire, shielding them from non-renewals for one year. This action under his Sustainable Insurance Strategy supports wildfire-impacted communities and expands protections via new laws like SB 547.[3]

Home Insurance Rates
January 2026
2026 Home Insurance Rates: Will SoCal’s Record-Wet Months Push Premiums Higher?

California home insurance premiums are projected to rise 20% or more by end-2025 due to reinsurance costs, regulatory changes allowing catastrophe modeling, and risks in high-exposure areas like wildfires and floods. Homeowners in lower-risk regions may see stabilized rates, while high-risk zones face tighter underwriting and surcharges.[4]

Insurance Market Review
January 13, 2026
California’s Insurance Market Year in Review

California’s property insurance market faced risk of collapse well before the 2025 fires, highlighting ongoing challenges in availability and affordability. The year underscored the need for market stabilization amid escalating catastrophe risks.[5]