Mandatory One-Year Moratorium on Homeowners Insurance Cancellations.
In response to the devastating Palisades and Eaton fires, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara has issued a mandatory one-year moratorium on insurance non-renewals and cancellations for Southern California homeowners. This protection applies to residents within the fire perimeters and adjoining ZIP codes of the affected areas, regardless of whether they suffered direct property damage.
The moratorium, effective from Governor Gavin Newsom’s January 7 emergency declaration, ensures that residents already facing the challenges of wildfire recovery do not have to endure the added burden of losing their homeowners insurance.
Extending Protections for Affected Communities As firefighters continue to battle the wildfires, Commissioner Lara has promised to issue additional guidance if more ZIP codes are identified as being within or adjacent to the wildfire perimeters.
“My heart goes out to my fellow Angelenos. Our top priority is protecting Californians during this crisis and helping us recover,” said Commissioner Lara. “I am using my moratorium powers to prevent insurance companies from canceling or non-renewing policies in wildfire-impacted areas, so people don’t face the added stress of finding new insurance during this horrific event.”
Additional Measures for Stability To further support residents, Commissioner Lara has:
• Issued a Notice to all insurance companies to pause non-renewals or cancellations for properties near the wildfires that are not already protected by the moratorium.
• Expanded protections to include policies scheduled for non-renewal up to 90 days before January 7, delaying cancellations for six months to allow affected communities to recover.
• Called on insurers to extend the 60-day grace period for policyholders in wildfire-impacted areas, giving them more time to pay their premiums.
How to Verify Your ZIP Code Residents can check if their ZIP code is included in the moratorium by visiting the California Department of Insurance website. If you believe your insurance company is violating this moratorium or have questions regarding your claims, contact the California Department of Insurance at 800-927-4357 or reach out via chat or email at insurance.ca.gov.
At VA Fast Loans, we are committed to supporting our community, especially those impacted by these challenging times. If you have any questions about your homeowners insurance or need assistance, feel free to contact us. Would you like me to make any adjustments or add a specific call-to-action?