How California’s SB 824 Protects Homeowners After Wildfires

Illustration of a California wildfire landscape with a residential neighborhood in the foreground, surrounded by fire-resistant landscaping and emergency services in the background.
A hopeful depiction of wildfire recovery and neighborhood safety in California

In the aftermath of devastating wildfires, homeowners face numerous challenges—losing insurance coverage shouldn’t be one of them. Thanks to Senate Bill 824 (2018), authored by then-State Senator and current Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, California has enacted a critical consumer protection law. This legislation mandates a one-year moratorium on insurance companies canceling or non-renewing residential policies in areas affected by wildfire emergencies declared by the Governor.

What Is the California One-Year Insurance Moratorium?

“Losing your insurance should be the last thing on someone’s mind after surviving a devastating fire,” stated Commissioner Lara. “This law gives millions of Californians breathing room and hits the pause button on insurance non-renewals while people recover.”

When the Governor declares a state of emergency, the Department of Insurance collaborates with CAL FIRE and the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) to identify wildfire perimeters and adjacent ZIP codes. Homeowners in these areas receive one year of protection against insurance cancellation or non-renewal, starting from the date of the emergency declaration.

This safeguard applies to all residential policyholders in the designated areas, even if they experience no property loss. For those who endure a total loss, additional protections are available under the law.

How to Determine Your Eligibility

Since the law’s implementation, Commissioner Lara has applied the moratorium to multiple wildfires from 2019 to 2021. Homeowners can check if they are covered by reviewing the list of fires and affected ZIP codes published in the Commissioner’s Bulletins. Residents in the specified areas cannot have their insurance canceled or non-renewed due to wildfire risk for one year following the Governor’s declaration.

A comprehensive list of fires and ZIP codes is available, including Bulletins and Pre-Bulletin Notices for the most recent wildfire seasons. The Department of Insurance continues to work with CAL FIRE and CalOES to identify eligible areas for the one-year moratorium, ensuring maximum protection for homeowners.

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 us and file a Request for Assistance.

 Is My Zip Code Included in the California Insurance Moratorium?

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