Insurance News
Regulatory updates in plain English
Stay current with the latest from CMS, state departments of insurance, NAIC, the Federal Register, and Congress — rewritten so you can actually understand what it means for your practice.
California wildfire survivors one step closer to landmark smoke damage protections bill sponsored by Commissioner Lara
California has passed a new law, Assembly Bill 1795, that will help survivors of wildfires who have smoke damage in their homes. This law sets clear rules for how insurance companies must handle claims related to smoke damage and ensures that homes are tested and restored safely. The bill is now wai...
Commissioner Lara protects more than 64,000 Californians in Calaveras, San Joaquin, Amador, Tuolumne, and Stanislaus counties from non-renewals following Gann Fire
Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara has ordered insurance companies to continue coverage for over 64,000 homeowners in several California counties affected by the Gann Fire. This decision follows an emergency declaration by Governor Gavin Newsom and prevents insurance companies from canceling or not...
Commissioner Lara defeats attempt to undermine California insurance market
California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara has successfully defended his authority to protect consumers and stabilize the state's insurance market. A judge recently dismissed a lawsuit from Consumer Watchdog that challenged two of Lara's Bulletins designed to address the issue of insurance compa...
Commissioner Lara and Assemblymember Calderon announce legislation transforming the California FAIR Plan
California has introduced new legislation called the Make It FAIR Act, which aims to improve the FAIR Plan, a state insurance program for wildfire survivors. This law will enhance how claims are handled, offer more coverage options, and increase transparency for those affected by wildfires. The chan...
Protecting Californians by investigating insurance fraud for 90 years
The California Department of Insurance has updated its efforts to combat insurance fraud, which affects all Californians. Their Investigation Division investigates fraud, unlicensed activities, and misconduct by insurance professionals. Recently, they fined a licensed adjuster $10,000 and banned the...
Owners of one of the largest towing businesses in Southern California arrested in nearly 6 million dollar fraud scheme
Two brothers, Mark and Ahmed Hassan, who own large towing companies in Southern California, have been arrested for committing insurance fraud. They allegedly underreported their employee payroll and paid some wages in cash to cheat workers' compensation insurance companies out of nearly $6 million. ...
Commissioner Lara protects nearly 150,000 Californians in Kern, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Ventura counties from non-renewals following Gifford Fire
Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara has ordered insurance companies to continue coverage for over 147,000 homeowners in Kern, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties who were affected by the Gifford Fire. This protection lasts for one year from the emergency declaration made by Governor...
California takes legal action against State Farm after investigation finds widespread mishandling of LA wildfire claims
{ "summary": "California has taken legal action against State Farm Insurance due to serious issues with how they handled claims from the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires. An investigation revealed that State Farm delayed payments and made it difficult for policyholders to get the help they needed, affec...
‘Resilience is a global responsibility’: Commissioner Lara moves to safeguard Californians’ financial future from future insurance crises
California's Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara announced a new regulation aimed at ensuring the financial stability of insurance companies in the state. This Long-Term Solvency Planning Regulation requires insurers to provide detailed plans on how they will manage risks related to climate change a...
Four Southern California drivers arraigned in alleged staged crash scheme that endangered innocent driver
Four drivers in Southern California have been charged in a scheme where they staged car crashes to collect insurance money, putting innocent drivers at risk. The defendants, who are friends, intentionally crashed their vehicles and sought medical attention to make their injuries seem real. This inve...
Notice of Intended Repatriation: University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
The University of California, Berkeley plans to return specific cultural items that are important to certain Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations. This is in line with a law that protects Native American cultural heritage. Agents should be aware of this repatriation process and its implica...
Approval of Clean Air Plans; San Joaquin Valley, California; Contingency Measures for 1997 Ozone Standards
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved California's plan to improve air quality in the San Joaquin Valley, which has struggled with high ozone levels. This approval means California has met the necessary requirements to address ozone pollution as part of the Clean Air Act. Insurance ...