The California Department of Insurance published a press release announcing the formation of the Smoke Claims & Remediation Task Force, a subdivision within the Department of Insurance.

With the major wildfires California has faced recently, smoke damage claims have become more prevalent and more complex. The Task Force aims to create standards for insurance coverage and clean-up for smoke-related losses. California has not had standards for investigating and paying smoke damage claims, which has resulted in a lot of confusion and delays in the past.

The Task Force will unite many professionals, including public health experts, environmental health professionals, smoke remediation specialists, fire safety experts, and consumer advocates, to form science-based standards and best practices for smoke restoration.