California fire victims say fighting with insurance companies has delayed rebuilding
NPR • • nation
Key Points:
- Mark Johnson and many Southern California wildfire survivors have faced long delays and disputes with State Farm over insurance claims, hindering their ability to rebuild homes destroyed or damaged in the Eaton and Palisades fires.
- The fires caused an unprecedented $40 billion in insured losses, making them the costliest globally, and have led to widespread complaints about insurers delaying, underpaying, or denying claims amid a complex recovery process.
- Los Angeles County has launched an investigation into State Farm's claims handling following numerous consumer complaints, while the insurer maintains it is committed to supporting fire victims despite the challenges.
- The insurance struggles reflect a national trend of rising premiums and claim disputes exacerbated by climate change-driven disasters, with similar allegations of underpayment and denial surfacing
