News Releases

Law Signed to Give California Consumers New Paths to Keep Home Insurance 

September 30, 2026  ·  Carmen Balber

Law Signed to Give California Consumers New Paths to Keep Home Insurance  Sacramento, CA – Fire survivors and consumer advocates celebrated final approval of a new law...

Consumer Watchdog Warns Lara Against Raising Insurer Profit Allowance Behind Closed Doors

September 29, 2026  ·  Will Pletcher

Consumer group says insurers are already earning record profits and any changes that could raise home and auto premiums must undergo full public rulemaking Los...

Newsom Vetoes Insurance Reforms For Wildfire Victims After They Oppose Utility Bailout

September 28, 2026  ·  Carmen Balber

Sacramento, CA — Governor Newsom vetoed two bills to help wildfire survivors that had bipartisan support and no opposition after wildfire victims and consumer advocates led the...

Lara Black Box Model Rules Generate $571 Million in Rate Hikes But Just Twelve Thousand New Home Insurance Policies. That’s $47K Per Policy.

September 23, 2026  ·  Carmen Balber

Sacramento, CA — Ten home insurance companies have sought $571 million in rate hikes under Insurance Commissioner Lara’s rules allowing insurers to raise rates based on black...

California Legislature Approves Three Bills to Require Fair and Timely Home Insurance Payouts and Improve Access to Coverage 

September 2, 2026  ·  Carmen Balber

Sacramento, CA – Fire survivors and consumer advocates celebrated the passage of strong new insurance consumer protections by the California legislature today that will help families keep their...

Newly Released SB 492 Confirms Major Victory for Wildfire Survivors and California Families

August 29, 2026  ·  Jamie Court

Legislature Stands Up to Powerful Interests, Protects Survivors’ Rights and Rejects Utility Bailout

California Legislature Protects Wildfire Survivors’ Rights and Rejects Higher Insurance Costs 

August 28, 2026  ·  Jamie Court

Legislature Stands Up to Governor Newsom and His Utility Allies, Delivering a Major Victory for Wildfire Survivors and Consumers  SACRAMENTO, CA — Every Fire Survivor’s Network...

Survivors Provide Recommendations for Any Wildfire Liability Legislation Written Today

August 28, 2026  ·  Jamie Court

Sacramento, CA – Today is the final day any wildfire liability legislation can be put in print. Every Fire Survivor’s Network and Consumer Watchdog issued...

Assembly Bailout Plan Codifies Bad Lara Regulations That Cost Consumers $562 Million And Created Only 10,000 New Homeowners Policies; Locking In Rate Hikes

August 27, 2026  ·  Jamie Court

Sacramento, CA —  An Assembly working group document (opens in new tab) recommends codifying failed Department of Insurance regulations that allow home insurance companies to raise rates based on...

Wildfire Survivors Call on Lawmakers to Reject Gov’s 11th-Hour Legislative Utility Bail Out for Fires They Cause; Urge “No Lines Between Survivors”

August 25, 2026  ·  Carmen Balber

Sacramento, CA – Over fifty wildfire survivors from across California gathered outside the Capitol building today to call on California lawmakers to stand with survivors and reject...

Three Bills to Reform Insurance Claims Abuses and Help Homeowners Keep Their Insurance Pass Final Committee, Head to CA Assembly Floor

August 13, 2026  ·  Carmen Balber

Sacramento, CA – Three bills to help families prevent home insurance nonrenewals and require fair and timely payouts of a claim after a disaster were...

Investigation Maps For-Profit Utilities’ $366 Million Disinformation Echo Chamber as Newsom Pushes Wildfire Bailout

August 6, 2026  ·  Alexandra Nagy

Report documents years of lobbying, campaign contributions, charitable giving and political relationships that culminated in utility bailout plan Sacramento, CA — As Governor Gavin Newsom develops...