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Wildfires in California are occurring with greater frequency, causing more destruction, and increasingly igniting in unexpected locations and at unforeseen times. Since the 1970s, the length of the wildfire season in western...more
Last week, 10 California homeowners filed suit in Los Angeles County Superior Court against the California FAIR Plan Association (CFPA) and several of its largest insurance company members. Plaintiffs allege defendants...more
In Gharibian et al., v. Wawanesa General Insurance Company, the California Second District Court of Appeal found that, under California law, the insureds failed to prove smoke, soot, ash and fire debris on covered property...more
Join Kennedys partners Forrest Booth and Neil Mody for an insightful webinar which will explore the complexities of handling first-party property insurance claims arising from California's devastating wildfires. Moderated...more
The recent fires in California had a devastating impact on various communities, with many homeowners losing or facing severe damage to their properties. As residents begin the challenging process of recovery, understanding...more
On February 25, 2025, California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara issued a bulletin expanding the previously announced one-year moratorium preventing homeowners insurance cancellations and non-renewals to those affected by...more
Welcome to the latest issue of Insurance Insights, a gathering of notable legal developments and trends relevant to the insurance industry. In this issue, fires alter the landscape of California insurance, an expert’s...more
To say that California has been hard-hit by wildfires would be a gross understatement. California, the most populous U.S. state and the third largest by area and home to iconic landmarks, such as the Golden Gate Bridge,...more
Coming on the heels of what are projected to be the costliest wildfires in California history, a new decision from the California Second District Court of Appeals could make it more difficult to obtain insurance coverage for...more
As a Los Angeles-based firm, we are deeply saddened by the devastation caused by the recent wildfires. We remain committed to supporting our clients and friends during this time and are hopeful that the general steps related...more
The Second Appellate District of the California Court of Appeal recently affirmed a lower court ruling that wildfire debris on an insured’s property did not qualify as “direct physical loss” within the meaning of a homeowners...more
California’s beauty is undeniable, but its vulnerability to wildfires is a harsh reality. If you’re a homeowner in the Golden State, the aftermath of a wildfire can be devastating, both personally and financially. Navigating...more
The devastating wildfires that have rapidly spread across Los Angeles this month underscore the need for businesses and homeowners to be prepared to make insurance claims when natural disasters strike. This LawFlash details...more
Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have suffered losses due to the recent Los Angeles wildfires. Below we offer some guidance to those affected by these devastating fires to pursue and preserve their rights to...more
As of January 13, Southern California’s ongoing wildfires have reportedly destroyed more than 12,000 structures. Insured loss estimates exceed $25 billion, and the strong Santa Ana winds fanning the blazes are expected to...more
Policyholders affected by the devastating fires should take certain immediate steps to maximize potential recovery. The Los Angeles County wildfires that began on January 7, 2025, and continue to ravage the communities of...more
Fires have played a major role in the history of California. Not only have these disasters repeatedly left a trail of devastation through the State’s forests and other natural areas, but recent fires have been noteworthy in...more
On Friday, October 2, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara of the California Department of Insurance (“Department”) published a Notice addressed to and making several “requests,” detailed below, of both admitted and...more
Focus - L.A. leaders propose creating 'anti-displacement zones' around luxury housing developments - Los Angeles Daily News – November 14 - The Los Angeles City Council voted this week to start the process of...more
On Monday, the California Supreme Court revived a 2011 insurance regulation designed to protect homeowners from underinsurance because of the insurance company’s use of potentially misleading estimates for home replacement...more