CBS LA Insurance Week: Homeowners’ Coverage Help and Resources
From June 2–6, CBS LA Insurance Week put a spotlight on the shifting landscape of homeowner and renter insurance across Southern California. This special series — part of the Insurance Takeover by CBS LA Cares — combined expert interviews, community stories and live help to guide people still recovering from the January wildfires.
CBS LA Insurance Week Overview: What Californians Need to Know
The week examined why policies are changing, who is being affected and practical steps to stay covered. Journalists Julie Watts and Kristine Lazar led segments showing how families adapted after cancellations and nonrenewals.
- Date: June 2–6, 2025 — a concentrated effort to inform homeowners and renters.
- Special airings: a one-hour special aired on June 5 at 7 p.m. covering industry responses and consumer options.
- Community support: CBS LA hosted stories showing real solutions used by affected residents.
Key insight: regulators, insurers and local groups are still negotiating solutions — but families can act now to protect assets and find alternative coverage.
Live Phone Bank Details: Get Answers from Industry Experts
On Tuesday, June 3, CBS LA hosted a live phone bank from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. where callers could ask general questions about their homeowner or renter policies. The session offered guidance but not formal legal or professional advice, and callers were urged not to share personal or sensitive data.
- How to prepare: gather your policy number, recent declarations page, and notes on any recent cancellations.
- What to expect: high-level guidance on policy types, renewal risks and mitigation steps.
- What not to do: avoid sharing personally identifiable information during a public phone bank.
Practical takeaway: a short checklist can help you maximize the limited time with experts and leave with clear next steps.
Special Coverage and Town Halls: Deep Dives into the Crisis
CBS LA and KCAL presented extended reporting and a town hall that brought together insurers, consumer advocates and state officials to discuss nonrenewals and affordability. These programs explored why insurers are reducing exposure in high-risk areas and how consumers can respond.
- Topics covered: nonrenewals, premium spikes, mitigation requirements and state interventions.
- Voices heard: homeowners affected by wildfire-driven cancellations and company representatives explaining underwriting shifts.
- Actions suggested: appeal processes, mitigation grants and alternative coverage markets.
Case study: Maria Lopez, a homeowner in a foothill community, consolidated documentation, installed defensible-space measures, and successfully appealed a nonrenewal — an approach other homeowners can emulate.
Practical Tips for Homeowners and Renters Facing Changes
Concrete steps help residents navigate renewals, find new carriers and reduce premiums. Below are prioritized actions proven helpful during the Insurance Takeover reporting.
- Document everything: photos, repair invoices and prior mitigation work strengthen appeals.
- Shop multiple carriers: compare offers from national and regional providers to avoid coverage gaps.
- Mitigation investment: simple home hardening often reduces risk and can open more market options.
Example tip: use targeted guides to understand vehicle and personal coverage interactions — see our guide on Top vehicles for young drivers for parallels in shopping strategy.
Insight: small, documented improvements can be the difference between acceptance and continued nonrenewal.
How Major Carriers Are Responding and What That Means for You
Insurers are adjusting appetite and pricing by risk area. Knowing each company’s tendencies helps shoppers predict where coverage may be available.
- Allstate and State Farm have tightened underwriting in high-fire zones, prompting many to seek non-standard markets.
- Geico, Progressive and Liberty Mutual may offer regional variations that favor newer mitigation measures.
- Farmers Insurance, Nationwide, Travelers, Mercury Insurance and The Hartford are among carriers expanding guidance and supplemental products for at-risk homeowners.
Action: when comparing quotes, request explicit language about wildfires and nonrenewal policies to avoid surprises.
Use government programs, non-profit grants and step-by-step guides to strengthen your position during renewal periods. These resources can also guide you through health and life coverage considerations connected to disaster recovery.
- Read practical renewal strategies in our guide on safeguarding your insurance renewal.
- If car costs matter after a move or repair, consult our piece on how to slash car insurance costs.
- For wildfire-specific market shifts, learn more about fire insurance nonrenewals and practical next steps.
- Don’t forget related health coverage tips during recovery: see our health insurance tips for immediate actions.
Final resource note: start appeals early, document mitigation, and ask insurers about supplemental endorsements to cover specific wildfire risks.
Quick Checklist Before Contacting an Insurer
Before you call or apply for new coverage, run through this checklist to present the strongest case possible.
- Assemble photos, receipts and previous declarations pages.
- List recent mitigation steps (e.g., roof replacement, ember-resistant vents).
- Prepare questions about nonrenewal reasons and potential endorsements.
Key insight: clarity and preparation shorten resolution time and improve outcomes.
Stories of Recovery: Lessons from Neighbors
During the Insurance Takeover, multiple families shared actionable solutions: switching carriers, negotiating endorsement language, and leveraging local mitigation grants. These anecdotes offer a roadmap for others in similar situations.
- Switching to a regional carrier after documenting mitigation work.
- Filing a formal appeal with support from a public adjuster.
- Using community programs to fund defensible-space improvements.
Lesson: informed, documented action often leads to better outcomes than waiting for policy changes.
What should I do first if I receive a nonrenewal notice?
Gather your policy documents and photos, document any mitigation work, and contact your insurer to request specific reasons for the nonrenewal. Consider appealing with evidence and seek alternative quotes from multiple carriers.
Can mitigation work lower my chance of nonrenewal?
Yes. Installing defensible-space measures, ember-resistant vents and wildfire-resistant roofing can improve your risk profile. Document all work with receipts and photos to bolster appeals and new applications.
Which companies still write policies in high-risk areas?
Availability changes rapidly, but some national and regional carriers provide options depending on mitigation and location. Compare offers from multiple insurers — including the large names mentioned during CBS LA’s coverage — and ask about specialty markets.
Where can I find help if I’m denied coverage?
Start with state insurance department resources and consumer advocates, and consult step-by-step guides such as our articles on renewal strategies and appeals to prepare your case effectively.