Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
CA is entering its final comment period for proposed homeowner insurance reforms. Here's how to weigh in
The Alisal Fire burns on Oct. 11, 2020.
(
Courtesy Santa Barbara Fire Department
)
Topline:
The California Department of Insurance is seeking public comment on a proposal that would require insurers to offer more coverage in areas with a high risk of wildfires.
The backstory: The state announced these regulations earlier this summer, and it's now entering its final phase before a decision is made about whether to adopt the rules.
What's in the proposal: Insurance companies would commit to offering more coverage in high-risk fire areas. The state would also start using forward-looking wildfire catastrophe modeling — pivoting from older models that set rates based on past fire risk. For more details about the proposed changes, see here.
Support for LAist comes from
Why it matters: California's insurance crisis has worsened in recent years, with a number of factors at play. State insurance officials point to climate change, insurers leaving the market, and a lack of updated regulations as some of the reasons behind higher prices.
What the state has been doing: California has filled a hole in the market by offering state plans through its Fair Access to Insurance Requirements (FAIR) program. Due to their high price and limited coverage, these policies are meant as a last resort for customers who have no other options to meet state insurance requirements.
How to give your comment: Residents can email CDIRegulations@insurance.ca.gov with any written comments. The Department of Insurance will also accept comments at a virtual public hearing at 10 a.m. on September 17.
Go deeper: To read about just one of the factors affecting homeowner insurance prices, see here.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
USC says it’s reviewing the letter also sent to eight other prestigious schools nationwide. California's governor vowed that any California universities that sign will lose state funding. -
Scientists say La Niña is likely, but that doesn’t necessarily mean a dry winter in Southern California. -
According to a grand jury report the contractor took advantage of strained relations and political pressures to “force” the city to pay hundreds of millions of dollars to settle disputes. -
Administrators say the bargaining units should be dismissed, or that they have no standing. One campus is going after the federal agency in charge of union activity. -
The landslide is not connected to the greater Portuguese Bend landslide, city officials said. -
Nom. Nom. Nom. The event destroyed the internet when it was first announced — and sold out in minutes.
Best of LAist