California’s top insurance regulator is urging insurers to pay policyholders the full amount of their belongings without requiring them to itemize every object lost in a wildfire. The request comes as thousands of residents struggle to cope with the aftermath of last month’s devastating wildfires.
Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara has given insurers until February 28 to inform the state agency whether they will comply. Consumer advocates have long criticized the demand for detailed lists, citing its burden on homeowners.
Deputy Insurance Commissioner Michael Soller said the process is “agony” for many victims, who must remember every item lost in a destroyed home. Lara’s announcement would remove this burden, allowing insurers to pay 100% of policy limits without requiring documentation.
Homeowners who have experienced the process describe it as “brutal” and “upsetting.” One woman reported spending months creating an online resource to help others navigate the list, while another said she was forced to cry while compiling the list after her home was destroyed. The request aims to alleviate this stress and provide relief to those affected by wildfires.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/06/realestate/california-insurance-itemization.html