losses News

Toilet Paper and Flat Tires: The Strange Ways Californians Ignite Wildfires

Of all the insidious threats faced by wildland firefighters — extreme heat, desiccated forests, unpredictable fire behavior and a nearly year-round fire season — what might be the most fearsome? Humans. People do dangerous things, things that start wildfires. Pushing …

600-Square-Mile-Plus Wildfire in California Now State’s Fifth Largest on Record

The Park Fire near Chico, California, at 609 square miles is now the fifth largest wildfire in history, destroying 277 structures and damaging 29, according to CalFire. The fire covers four counties—Butte, Plumas, Shasta, Tehama—and is 389,791 acres. The fire …

Wildfire Smoke May Be Worse for Your Brain Than Other Air Pollution, Study Says

Wildfire smoke may be worse for brain health than other types of air pollution, according to new research linking it to an increased risk of dementia. The findings, reported Monday at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Philadelphia, come as …

Firefighters Increase Containment on California Wildfire Now at 599 Square Miles

Containment has increased on a fire that exploded in size and in a few days became California’s sixth largest wildfire, destroying hundreds of structures. The Park Fire near Chico, California, has burned 383,619 acres, and as of Tuesday morning it …

California Workers’ Comp Report Shows ‘Relatively Stable’ System Post-Pandemic

The California workers’ compensation system has been relatively stable in the post-pandemic era, as premium levels rose by 1% in 2023 and are forecast to increase modestly in 2024—while decreases in average insurer charged rates are moderating, a new report …

California Wildfire Grows to 575 Square Miles, Destroying at Least 100 Structures

At least 100 structures have been destroyed and roughly 4,200 more are being threatened by the Park Fire, near Chico, California, which has burned 368,256 acres and now touches four counties. Containment on the Park Fire, which has 4,742 fighting …

California Commissioner Announces FAIR Plan Modernization Deal

California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara said on Friday that he and the California Fair Plan have agreed to establishing a new high value commercial coverage option with limits up to $20 million per building and other steps that he said …

New Mexico Superintendent of Insurance Takes Issue with Ruling on Living Expenses

A Santa Fe District Court ruling that State Farm and Casualty Co. does not have to comply with a provision of the New Mexico Superintendent of Insurance emergency order for insurers to pay $5,000 in living expenses to policyholders forced …

Hot, Inland California Cities Face The Steepest Water Cuts With New Conservation Mandate

Facing a future of shortages, California is entering a new phase of water conservation: Cities and towns must meet new mandates ramping down use over the next 15 years — and some will be hit harder than others. Approved two …

How California’s Homeowners Insurance Crisis Is Affecting Brokers

A growing homeowners insurance crisis for Californians is straining brokers who must work harder to get increasingly expensive and more frequently unavailable coverage for their clients, a crisis many of them blame on regulations and wildfires. Wildfires have made the …