🏠 California Insurance Improvement Act
Making Home Insurance Fair and Available for Everyone
🔥 What's the Problem?
Wildfires in California have gotten bigger and more dangerous. Because of this, many insurance companies don't want to sell home insurance anymore. They're worried about losing too much money if houses burn down.
This means many families can't get insurance for their homes. Without insurance, banks won't give loans to buy houses. People might have to move away from their communities. This is a big problem, especially in rural areas like Northern California.
💡 What Does This Law Do?
The California Insurance Improvement Act is a new law that voters will decide on in November 2028. It tries to fix the insurance problem in a fair way. Here's how:
❌ The Problem Now
- Insurance companies are leaving California
- Families can't get home insurance
- People who made their homes safer still get dropped
- Insurance costs too much for many families
✅ What This Law Fixes
- Insurance companies must stay and help
- Safe homes are guaranteed coverage
- Discounts for people who protect their homes
- Help paying for insurance if you need it
🏠 The Fire-Safe Home Promise
If you make your home safer from fire, insurance companies must offer you coverage. They can't say no just because of where you live.
What Makes a Home "Fire-Safe"?
Special Roof
A roof made of materials that won't catch fire easily (called "Class A")
Strong Windows
Double-pane windows with special glass that can handle heat
Protected Walls and Vents
Walls and vents covered so flying embers can't get inside
Clear Space Around Your Home
No bushes or stuff that can burn within 5 feet of your house (Zone 0), and well-kept plants for 30 feet beyond that
⚖️ The Fair Deal for Insurance Companies
This law gives insurance companies some things they wanted, but they have to give something back. It's a fair trade:
What Insurance Companies Get:
- Faster approvals – They don't have to wait over a year to change prices anymore (now 60-120 days)
- Better predictions – They can use computer programs to guess how bad future fires might be
- Help with big costs – They can include what they pay for backup insurance in their prices
What Insurance Companies Must Give Back:
- Stay in tough areas – If they sell insurance in easy places, they must also sell in hard places (the 85% rule)
- Cover safe homes – They can't refuse homes that meet fire-safety rules
- Give discounts – They must lower prices for people who protect their homes
💵 Help for Families Who Need It
Some families don't have a lot of money. This law makes sure they can still get insurance and make their homes safer.
Help Paying for Insurance
If your family doesn't make very much money, the state will help pay part of your insurance bill. The less money you make, the more help you get. Your insurance payment won't be more than 2-4% of what your family earns.
Help Making Your Home Safer
Making a home fire-safe can cost a lot of money. This law helps pay for it:
- Families with low income: Get up to 90% of costs paid (up to $30,000)
- Families with medium income: Get up to 75% of costs paid (up to $25,000)
- Families with higher income: Get up to 50% of costs paid (up to $20,000)
🏦 The Safety Net Fund
What if there's a really, really big fire? One that costs more money than all the insurance companies have? This law creates a backup plan called the California Catastrophe Reserve Fund.
How It Works:
🪶 Honoring Native American Wisdom
For thousands of years, California's Native American tribes took care of the land. They used small, controlled fires to keep forests healthy. This stopped big, dangerous fires from happening.
When people stopped doing this, forests got overgrown and fires got worse. This law says we should listen to Native American knowledge again.
What This Law Does:
- Tribal leaders help decide how to measure fire danger
- Areas where tribes do "cultural burning" are seen as safer
- Money is set aside to help tribal communities
- Native American knowledge is treated as just as important as science
👀 Who Makes Sure It's Fair?
A group of experts called the Independent Actuarial Board watches over everything. They make sure insurance companies are being honest and fair.
Who's on the Board?
- 🎓 Math experts from universities (2 people)
- 🌡️ Weather and fire scientists (2 people)
- 🛡️ Someone who protects regular people (1 person)
- 📊 An insurance math expert (1 person)
- 🪶 A Native American tribal representative (1 person)
These people can't work for insurance companies. Their job is to make sure everyone is treated fairly.
🗺️ Testing It First in Northern California
Big changes should be tested before going everywhere. This law starts in California's 2nd Congressional District – that's the counties of:
- Humboldt
- Mendocino
- Trinity
- Shasta
- Modoc
- Del Norte
These areas have some of the worst insurance problems in California. If the law works well here, it can help the whole state – and maybe even other states with similar problems!
📋 Quick Summary
Safe Homes Get Insurance
If you make your home fire-safe, companies must offer you coverage
Discounts for Being Safe
At least 20% off for fire-safe homes
Fair Rules for Everyone
Insurance companies get flexibility, but must serve all areas
Help for Those Who Need It
Up to 90% help making homes safer, help paying premiums
Backup Plan for Big Disasters
A savings fund to handle really bad years
Tribal Wisdom Respected
Native American fire knowledge helps everyone
Vote YES on the California Insurance Improvement Act
November 2028 General Election
Fair insurance • Safe homes • Protected families • Respected traditions