US EditionLA-Area Fire Victims Demand Resignation of State's Top Insurance Regulator
Wildfire survivors accuse Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara of favoring insurers, with 70% facing claim delays or denials, urging Governor Newsom to demand his resignation.
- On Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025, Eaton and Palisades fire survivors gathered at Good Neighbor Bar, Altadena, urging Gov. Gavin Newsom to push California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara to resign.
- In 2023, a deal between Ricardo Lara, California Insurance Commissioner, and insurers incentivized dropping policyholders while the New York Times investigation found California FAIR Plan enrollment doubled.
- The January fires damaged nearly 13,000 homes, insurers paid over $20 billion on 41,800 claims, and State Farm General handled 13,500 claims, while 70% of survivors report delays or denials.
- Survivors asked Gov. Gavin Newsom to intervene, demanding Lara's removal and possible impeachment if he refuses, while the California Department of Insurance plans to finish a State Farm probe within 60 days and freeze rate hikes, having recovered more than $135 million for survivors.
- Joy Chen warned that the insurance crisis has created an unprecedented housing emergency affecting California homeowners, with reforms' full impact not clear for another year, posing political risks for Governor Newsom.
20 Articles
20 Articles
LA Daily News
LA fire survivors urge resignation of state insurance commissioner
Eaton and Palisades fire survivors on Thursday, Nov. 6, are calling for California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara to resign after a report revealed what it said were loopholes in a 2023 plan that resulted in more policyholders being dropped ahead of January’s disasters. The survivors, from the Eaton Fire Survivors Network, gathered at Good Neighbor Bar in Altadena, where they sounded off on the New York Times report, which detailed how the …
LA-area fire victims demand resignation of state's top insurance regulator
Victims of the January wildfires in Los Angeles County urged Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday to call for the resignation of California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, saying the regulator has allowed insurers to run roughshod over them.
Los Angeles Times
BizTocL.A.-area fire victims demand resignation of state's top insurance regulator
January wildfire victims urged Gov. Gavin Newsom to seek Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara's resignation, saying he has let insurers run roughshod over them.
Wildfire victims call for CA insurance commissioner to resign over reported insurance loopholes
Victims of the Eaton and Palisades fires are calling for the resignation of California's insurance commissioner following a report that found loopholes that favored insurance companies.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 60% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
