By Angelica C. Gualpa
Assemblymember John Harabedian (D–Pasadena, La Cañada Flintridge, Altadena, Sierra Madre, Monrovia, Bradbury, San Dimas, La Verne, Claremont, Upland, Rancho Cucamonga, Oak Hills, Piñon Hills, Phelan), yesterday called on the California Department of Insurance (CDI) to take immediate action to protect wildfire survivors and ensure insurance companies comply with state law.
Harabedian comments came in a press conference in partnership with the Eaton Fire Survivors Network, and other elected officials that also highlighted his Mortgage Forbearance legislation (AB 238), that allows disaster-impacted homeowners to pause mortgage payments for up to one year while they recover and rebuild.
“Our responsibility is clear: to protect survivors, give them the time and resources to rebuild their home and their lives, and ensure they can do so with security and peace of mind. That’s why I am leading this effort – calling on the California Department of Insurance to act swiftly and decisively, enforce the law, expedite claims, and provide every protection available – so families can recover with dignity and hope for the future,” said Harabedian.
Harabedian underscored the urgency of reforms to:
- Expedite the State Farm Market Conduct Exam
- Guarantee smoke coverage under the FAIR Plan
- Enforce California law to keep families housed
- Require transparency in loss estimates
- Make CDI’s complaint process transparent
“We paid our premiums faithfully for decades, trusting insurers to protect us. Now they’re using illegal delays and denials to profit from our pain. Families are maxing out credit cards, draining savings, and living in contaminated homes. We call on the California Department of Insurance to stand with survivors, not with the insurers breaking the law,” said Joy Chen, Co-Founder and CEO, Eaton Fire Survivors Network.
State Sen. Sasha Renée Pérez (D-Altadena, Arcadia, Burbank, Claremont, Duarte, Glendale, Pasadena, La Cañada Flintridge, South Pasadena, Upland) said she has been leading the call to launch an investigation into the’ hundreds of insurance complaints of the Eaton Fire victims’ for months.
“These residents should not be pushed aside during their greatest time of need,” said Pérez. “Insurance companies should not be allowed to raise rates before we get answers into how they are treating their policyholders following this disaster. I will continue to fight alongside my constituents for the fair and timely resolution of their insurance claims.”
Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Calabasas, Agoura Hills, Hidden Hills, Westlake Village) thanked Harabedian for being a voice for these victims when they need it most.
“While we cannot undo what nature has done, we can attempt to ease the pain of those suffering from nature’s wrath,” said Irwin. “AB 238 minimizes the financial impact through temporary mortgage relief and AB 493 assures victims that banks are required to pay interest on money deposited due to insurance payouts. In addition to these legislative efforts, we need the Department of Insurance to step up and enforce the law to protect victims from further harm caused by insurers.”
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger (R-Palmdale, Lancaster, Santa Clarita, San Marino, Pasadena, La Cañada-Flintridge, portions of the San Gabriel Valley) said too many Eaton fire residents in her district continue to face undue claims delays, underpayments, and denials that compound their hardship and loss.
“Continued vigilance in oversight and enforcement are vital, and new reforms are needed from our state regulators and legislature. I applaud Assemblymember Harabedian’s leadership and partnership to pass critical legislation on this important issue,” said Barger.
Altadena Town Council Chair Victoria Knapp said a family is forced to wait in limbo behind every delayed insurance claim.
Survivors of the Eaton Fire deserve to be treated as people, not numbers. We’re asking the Department of Insurance to stand with Altadena and not with insurers to deliver justice for those who’ve already lost so much,” Knapp said.
