If you have suffered a catastrophic loss due to the devastating Los Angeles fires, it’s important to focus on facts as they unfold in order to get the most helpful, immediate and accurate information available to help in these overwhelming first days of the recovery process.
This morning, L.A. County held a press conference with various officials reporting important updates. Two updates that are of immediate significance to homeowners who have lost their properties and are sorting through immense amounts of insurance and property related concerns were reported as follows:
California State Insurance Commissioner Statement Highlights
- Moratorium on Insurance Non-Renewals: A mandatory one-year moratorium on insurance policy non-renewals and cancellations for residents in wildfire-affected areas of Los Angeles County. According to the Dept.of Insurance website, this one-year protection applies to all residential policyholders within the affected areas who suffer less than a total loss, including those who suffer no loss. Those who suffer a total loss have additional protections under the law.
- Coverage Areas: The moratorium applies to residents within the perimeters or adjoining ZIP codes of areas impacted by the Palisades and Eaton fires.
- Automatic Protection: Homeowners in the affected zones are protected from losing their insurance coverage, regardless of whether they suffered a loss, for one year from the date of the emergency declaration (January 7, 2025).
- Verification Tool: Residents can verify if their ZIP code is included in the moratorium by visiting the California Department of Insurance website. If your ZIP code is included in the moratorium and you received a notice of cancellation or non-renewal for wildfire risk, you should contact your insurance company to seek a reinstatement of the policy. If your insurance company refuses, you are encouraged to contact the Department of Insurance and file a Request for Assistance.
- Consumer Assistance: Affected residents can report violations or seek help by contacting the Department of Insurance at 800-927-4357 or through the department’s website.• Insurance Support Workshops: A free two-day workshop (January 18 and 19) will be held to help wildfire survivors understand their insurance policies and the claims process. So far, the information we have is that this first workshop will be held at Santa Monica City College. There is a second workshop planned for the following weekend, (January 25 & 26) to be held at Pasadena City College. We will post more info as we learn facts.
- See also the Top 10 Insurance Tips for Wildfire Claimants
L.A County Tax Assessor Statement Highlights
Los Angeles County Assessor Jeffrey Prang has announced property tax relief for property owners whose properties have been damaged or destroyed by recent wildfires. Under the Misfortune & Calamity (M&C) program, properties that have sustained a minimum of $10,000 in damage may be eligible for a reassessment, potentially leading to reduced property taxes until the property is repaired or rebuilt.
According to information found on the County Assessor website, to be eligible, property owners must file Form ADS-820 with our office within 12 months from the date the damage or when destruction occurred. To access application forms and detailed instructions, please visit assessor.lacounty.gov/disaster. If you have questions or need in-person assistance, we encourage you to visit or contact your assigned district or regional office. Please visit assessor.lacounty.gov/contact/officelocations to view all office locations and contact information.
How to Apply – Important note from the Treasurer and Tax Collector: Should a refund be issued as a result of the reassessment of the damaged property, you still must pay the annual property tax bill. If the misfortune or calamity damage and restoration occur in the same tax year, you will receive a refund as of the date of damage but will also be issued a supplemental tax bill as of the date of restoration.
Key Details:
• Eligibility: Properties with damage exceeding $10,000.
• Application Deadline: Within 12 months from the date of damage.
• Application Form: Available online at the Los Angeles County Assessor’s website.
• Contact Information: For assistance, property owners can call the Disaster Relief Hotline at (213) 974-8658
The program FAQ sheet can be found here.
This relief aims to ease the financial burden on property owners during the recovery process. It’s important to note that the reduced assessed value remains in effect until the property is fully repaired, restored, or reconstructed.
Please be sure to reach to any elderly neighbors who may have sustained damage and/or loss to assist them with accessing this information. Navigating websites is often stressful and overwhelming for many advanced seniors.
We will continue to provide updates for homeowners as they become available. We are working with trusted connections and resources to ensure we are providing the most accurate information possible at the time.
It’s going to take a village the size of a metropolis to help support our beloved Los Angeles community as we begin the recovery process and for many months to come. Be patient with each other, be neighborly, and let’s all do what we can!