On Thursday, Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones issued a cease and desist order requiring the California FAIR Plan to immediately terminate a recent moratorium on writing new fire insurance coverage in wildfire-impacted areas.  The FAIR Plan, which exists as a state-sponsored “last resort” insurance plan for homeowners who can’t find insurance coverage from another provider, recently placed a moratorium on issuing insurance policies in certain zip codes impacted by wildfires.  

The Commissioner’s order demanded immediate termination of the moratorium on the basis that the FAIR Plan has no statutory allowance to take such an action.  Anyone who has been impacted by wildfires and denied coverage under the FAIR Plan should contact the California Insurance Commissioner’s Office through their consumer hotline at (800) 927-4357.  The full press release from the Commissioner can be accessed here.