Judge Rules California’s FAIR Plan Must Pay Smoke Damage Claims

Judge rules California’s FAIR Plan must pay smoke damage claims

In a decision with broad implications for victims of January’s wildfires, the state’s home insurer of last resort is on the hook to pay for smoke damage claims, according to a court ruling issued this week. The California FAIR Plan said it would likely not appeal the Tuesday decision by Superior Court Judge Stuart Rice. The ruling from Los Angeles Superior Court said the FAIR Plan violated state law in how it treats all smoke damage claims. Rice…

In landmark decision, judge rules California FAIR Plan's smoke-damage policy illegal

A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge has ruled that the California FAIR Plan's smoke-damage policy, which limits claims payments by the insurer of last resort, is a violation of state insurance law.

Homes With Toxic Smoke Damage Deepen Insurance Nightmare in LA

Months after fire tore through Los Angeles’ Pacific Palisades neighborhood, homeowners are struggling to get reimbursed — not for houses reduced to rubble, but for the damage of smoke and toxins in the properties that remain.

California regulator will broaden insurance of last resort

Commissioner Ricardo Lara announced greater transparency to come for FAIR Plan data, plus a broadening of coverage to commercial properties, homeowner associations and affordable housing.

‘Unsafe to Inhabit’:
The Toxic Homes of L.A.

By Blacki Migliozzi, Rukmini Callimachi and K.K. Rebecca Lai, NEW YORK TIMES https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/06/24/realestate/los-angeles-fires-toxic-homes.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare At first, the families whose homes were left standing thought they were the fortunate ones. While their neighbors sifted through the ash and twisted debris left behind by devastating wildfires, they stepped through unbroken doo…