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Mountain View News Saturday, January 11. 2025

DISASTER INSURANCE NOTICE - COMPANIES BANNED FROM CANCELING/NON RENEWALS 

LOS ANGELES (CNS) -

 California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo 
Lara has banned insurance companies 
from canceling or not renewing polices for 
homeowners affected by the Palisades and 
Eaton fires for one year.

 The moratorium, which Lara announced 
Thursday night, will be in effect for one year 
from the day Gov. Gavin Newsom declared 
a state of emergency on Jan. 8.

 Specifically, it shields homeowners within 
the perimeters or adjoining ZIP codes of 
the Palisades and Eaton fires, but more ZIP 
codes may be added in the future as other 
fires have broken out.

 Homeowners can visit insurance.ca.gov to 
see whether their properties are within the 
ZIP codes under the moratorium and obtain 
protection.

 The commissioner also called on insurance 
companies to pause for six months pending 
non-renewals or cancellations that were issued 
up to 90 days prior to Jan. 7, and he 
asked insurance companies to allow policy 
holders time

to pay their premiums beyond the existing 
regulation of a 60-day period.

 "My heart goes out to my fellow Angelenos 
and to the firefighters currently battling 
these blazes,'' Lara said during Thursday's 
news conference.

"Let me be clear, my top priority is to protect 
all affected people during this crisis and assist 
in their insurance recovery.''

 According to Lara, the moratorium currently 
does not cover businesses, but he will 
be working with state and federal leaders to 
protect them.

 Additionally, the department will soon issue 
a notice to all

California health insurers directing them to 
submit emergency plans, Lara said.

Plans must detail how they're going to ensure 
that consumers can continue to access 
essential medical care and obtain their medications 
in the wake of the disasters.

 Initial estimates of the damage from the 
Palisades Fire, which ravaged homes, businesses 
and communities in the Pacific Palisades 
and Malibu coastal areas, ranged from 
$10 billion to more than $50 billion, according 
to county officials. But those estimates 
may increase following the completion of 
damage assessments.

 On Wednesday, the forecasting company 
AccuWeather estimated the potential loss 
between $135 billion to $150 billion.

 The Department of Insurance has also 
scheduled workshops to help homeowners 
understand their insurance policies and 
guide them through the claims process, officials 
said Friday. 

 The department will have staff and experts 
on site to facilitate the workshops, which 
will be held at the following days and times:

 -- Saturday, Jan. 18, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., 
and Sunday, Jan. 19, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 
at Santa Monica College, Performing Arts 
Center East Wing, 1310 11th St.; and

 --- Saturday, Jan. 25, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
and Sunday, Jan. 26, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 
Pasadena City College, 1570 East Colorado 
Blvd.

 County residents can also schedule a 
one-on-one appointment with department 
staff by contacting the CDI's Hotline at 
1-800-927-4357.

 According to the department, the workshops 
will be confidential and recording will 
not be permitted of any staff meeting with 
residents.

 Those attending are encouraged to bring 
a copy of their insurance policy, declaration 
page and any relevant correspondence related 
to their concerns.


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Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com