California Legislation Guarantees Insurance for Fire-Resistant Homes
California Introduces Legislation to Secure Insurance for Fire-Resistant Homes
Sacramento, Calif., Feb. 18, 2026 – New legislation, SB 1076, spearheaded by Senator Sasha Renée Pérez, aims to ensure insurance availability for Californians who have implemented fire-safety measures in their homes. Co-sponsored by the Eaton Fire Survivors Network and Consumer Watchdog, the bill addresses the challenges homeowners face in obtaining insurance coverage even after meeting stringent wildfire resilience standards.
Ensuring Insurance for Fire-Safe Homes
SB 1076 mandates that insurers provide coverage to homeowners complying with state-specified home hardening and defensible space criteria. This initiative seeks to alleviate the uncertainty faced by residents fearing loss of coverage due to wildfire risks. According to consumer advocacy groups, there has been a significant increase in enrollment in the state's FAIR Plan, highlighting a rise in coverage cancellations.
Senator Pérez underscores the importance of guaranteeing insurance for those investing in wildfire-resistant homes. "It is essential for our communities to have the assurance that safety investments will be recognized by insurance providers," she stated. Her comments emphasize insurance availability as a critical component of community rebuilding efforts.
Advocacy and Regulatory Compliance
Carmen Balber, executive director of Consumer Watchdog, pointed out the discrepancy between risk reduction through fire-safety measures and insurers' policy cancellation practices. "If homeowners enhance safety, they should be eligible for insurance, thus addressing the ongoing insurance crisis," Balber said. Joy Chen, leading the Eaton Fire Survivors Network, explained that community resilience efforts heavily depend on accessible insurance.
Legislative Measures to Support Homeowners
Data from Hart Research and FM3 Research surveys show robust public support for mandatory insurance coverage for homes meeting fire safety requirements. Historically, California's regulatory framework has included provisions similar to SB 1076 for auto insurance, mandating fair rates for safe drivers under Proposition 103. Advocates suggest fire-safe homes similarly warrant assured insurance access.
The proposed legislation allows the insurance commissioner to enforce compliance among insurers by barring non-compliant companies from both home and auto insurance markets for five years. Scientific analysis from entities like the National Association of Insurance Commissioners supports the efficacy of fire mitigation measures in lowering fire-related insurance risks.
Comprehensive Strategy for Insurance Protection
Several related legislative measures aim to improve transparency and consumer protection in insurance dealings. For instance, SB 877 demands insurer disclosure of loss estimate revisions, and SB 878 imposes penalties for delayed claim settlements. Additionally, SB 982, introduced by Senator Wiener, targets affordability and availability issues, proposing corporate accountability for costs passed to consumers.
The alignment of these legislative efforts reflects a comprehensive strategy to reinforce insurance protection and affordability in response to evolving wildfire risks in California.