Governor Gavin Newsom and California’s Democrat-controlled government are facing criticism over the state’s insurance policies, which have left many residents of fire-prone areas, including Pacific Palisades, without adequate fire insurance.

The situation has worsened as insurance companies continue to cancel policies, citing wildfire risks and restrictive state regulations.

Residents of Pacific Palisades, an affluent area recently affected by devastating wildfires, have been vocal about their struggles to secure home insurance.

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Many lost their policies just before the fires, forcing some to turn to California’s state-run insurance program, which acts as a last resort.

Gavin Newsom’s Policies Blamed for California’s Insurance Collapse Amid Wildfire Devastation…

Governor Gavin Newsom and California’s Democrat-controlled government are facing criticism over the state’s insurance policies, which have left many residents of fire-prone areas,… pic.twitter.com/w40ftZO3jo

— RVM News (@redvoicenews) January 8, 2025

Actor James Woods, who was forced to evacuate during the fires and may have lost his home, highlighted the issue on X (formerly Twitter), drawing further attention to the crisis.

Actually one of the major insurances companies canceled all the policies in our neighborhood about four months ago. https://t.co/JS03dsV9rF

— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) January 8, 2025

This fire is not from “climate change,” you ignorant asshole. It’s because liberal idiots like you elect liberal idiots like Gavin Newsom and Karen Bass. One doesn’t understand the first thing about fire management and the other can’t fill the water reservoirs. #INSTABLOCK https://t.co/u49lWSmKri

— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) January 8, 2025

James Woods breaks down in tears recounting an emotional story about his family and the wildfires in California…@RealJamesWoods: “I posted this on X but, but Sara was on with her eight year old niece last night. She came out, I’m sorry. Just, you know, one day you’re swimming… pic.twitter.com/S7xdXGcMSE

— RVM News (@redvoicenews) January 8, 2025

On the Nextdoor app, residents have expressed their frustrations.

One woman wrote on December 23, “Our home insurance policy was canceled. We are currently scrambling to find home insurance.” She explained that her insurer had stopped covering homes near canyons, schools, or those worth over $1 million.

The insurance crisis has been building for years, as companies like State Farm and Allstate have pulled back from issuing new home and business policies in California.

The reasons include increasing wildfire risks, rising construction costs, and state regulations that prevent insurers from pricing policies based on future risks.

Instead, California requires insurance premiums to be calculated using historical data, making it difficult for insurers to remain profitable.

The Wall Street Journal noted that California is the only state with such a restriction.

Critics argue that while the intention of keeping premiums low is commendable, it has made the market unsustainable. Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, a Democrat, has been at the center of these policies.

In mid-December, Lara introduced new regulations aimed at addressing the crisis.

These rules require insurance companies to expand coverage in fire-prone areas and incorporate future risks into their pricing.

Lara stated, “Solving our wildfire crisis requires bold action to protect our communities. Insurance rates now must account for the billions spent on wildfire mitigation, including community efforts and home hardening.”

However, the timing of these changes left many homeowners in Pacific Palisades unable to secure new insurance policies before the wildfires struck.

Terrifying Wildfire: Man Records Walls of Fire Surrounding His Home with His Dog Inside…

Tens of thousands of residents in the Los Angeles area, including notable celebrities, have been ordered to evacuate as wildfires rage across Pacific Palisades and Altadena.

The Pacific… pic.twitter.com/yfZ5xO88kn

— RVM News (@redvoicenews) January 8, 2025

Critics argue that the insurance crisis reflects broader issues with California’s regulatory approach.

Many believe that the state’s policies, while often well-intentioned, create unintended consequences.

As one 2023 column in Breitbart News noted: “California should be heaven on earth, but is en route to becoming the proverbial hell on a road paved with good intentions.”

This sentiment has been echoed in discussions about Lara’s political record. In addition to his work on insurance reform,

Lara previously proposed a “Medicare for All” plan and a bill that would have allowed illegal aliens to hold state office, further fueling conservative criticism.

The Pacific Palisades fire and the insurance crisis have left many residents scrambling for solutions.

While Lara’s new regulations may offer long-term relief, they came too late for homeowners affected by recent disasters.

As wildfires continue to pose a significant threat, the debate over California’s insurance policies and regulatory framework is unlikely to subside anytime soon.