The California Department of Insurance published an update to its request that insurers pay more than the legal requirement for wildfire contents claims.
On February 6, 2025, the Department issued a Notice asking insurers to go above the legal requirement of 30% of an insured’s personal property limit and provide up to 100% without requiring a detailed inventory. At the time, some insurers had offered 75% of the limit and some even up to 100%. The Department asked insurers to send a written response on whether they would comply with the request.
The Department released the responses, which show which companies agreed to pay at least 75% of the contents limit without an inventory and which did not. A majority of the insurers agreed to pay at least 75%. The Department asks that each company notify its insureds of the new amounts it will provide.
Insurance Commissioner Lara is sponsoring SB 495, which would require insurers to pay wildfire victims 100% of their contents limit without requiring a detailed inventory if passed.
The news release can be found here.
Ray Sugrim
Ray Sugrim is an Insurance Editor with FC&S Expert Coverage Interpretation, a division of National Underwriter Company and Arc Network. Ray is responsible for helping develop and edit content for subscribers. Ray is a St John’s University graduate with a degree in Risk Management & Insurance and is a CPCU candidate.