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Consumer Watchdog

Los Angeles Times – January 2025 wildfire victims seek tougher penalties against State Farm over claims handling

By Laurence Darmiento, LOS ANGELES TIMES

https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2026-06-18/january-2025-wildfire-victims-seek-tougher-penalties-against-state-farm-over-claims-handling

A fire survivors’ group announced Thursday it was seeking tougher penalties against State Farm over its handling of January 2025 wildfire claims.

The Every Fire Survivor’s Network (opens in new tab) said it was petitioning to join a state enforcement action announced this year against the company to make sure the case results in meaningful changes at California’s largest home insurer.

“We’re seeking a systematic review of all their claims and penalties calibrated to the actual scale of the harm — and we’re seeking the payouts that families are owed,” said Joy Chen, executive director of the group, at a Pacific Palisades news conference joined by victims of the fires.

Consumer Watchdog (opens in new tab), which has been a harsh critic of State Farm, also is providing legal support for victims’ effort.

Read the full article here.