‘Take Pictures of Your Home’: Commissioner Lara on Insurance Preparedness and Reform

Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara sat down with CSAC President Jeff Griffiths on Wednesday at the 2025 Legislative Conference to discuss the state of the insurance market and declining rates of insurance across the state. Asked about the strained market post-Los Angeles Wildfires, Commissioner Lara said he believes the reforms they have been implementing are fast becoming a reality. Commissioner Lara has been actively supporting legislation focused on maximum insurance payouts and stabilizing the FAIR Plan.  

He discussed SB 495 by Sen. Ben Allen, the “Eliminate the List Act.” It would require insurance companies to pay 100 percent of content coverage without needing a detailed inventory list. The commissioner is also championing a longer period of time for residents to file for insurance claims after a disaster.  

Moving into implementation, and with the catalyst of the fires, Griffiths focused on how communities are managing loss of commercial property. Commissioner Lara is supporting legislation to protect commercial interests from non-renewals after a fire. This includes fire stations, homeowners associations and businesses in our communities.

Lara also encouraged county leaders to remind their residents about one of the most important parts of the entire claims process. “You take pictures of everything else,” he said. “Take the time to take pictures of your home for your insurance claims.”