Residents of Senator Tom Umberg’s district are being encouraged to share their experiences with homeowners’ insurance, as the Senate Judiciary Committee gears up to discuss Senate Bill 982 (SB 982). This legislation, sponsored by Senator Umberg, aims to hold fossil fuel companies financially accountable for climate-related disasters, with the goal of reducing insurance costs for Californians.
The Affordable Insurance and Recovery Act, known as SB 982, addresses California’s mounting home insurance crisis by enhancing the Attorney General’s legal tools to safeguard communities following extreme weather events. The bill is designed to stabilize the market for the California FAIR Plan, the state’s insurer of last resort, while also providing much-needed relief to consumers facing soaring insurance premiums.
A key feature of SB 982 is the shift of disaster-related costs from everyday policyholders to those deemed responsible for the damages, allowing for essential resources to be allocated toward recovery. This approach aims to help low-income homeowners and communities enhance their resilience to wildfires through investments in safer roofing, landscaping improvements, and other mitigation strategies.
In an effort to gather firsthand accounts, the Extreme Weather Survivors Network is calling for constituents willing to travel to Sacramento on April 14 to testify at the legislative hearing. Travel expenses will be covered for participants.
Two opportunities for involvement are being offered:
1. In-Person Testimony: Individuals can attend the hearing on April 13–14 to discuss the impact of insurance affordability or coverage loss.
2. Written Testimony: For those unable to attend in person, written submissions of personal experiences can be provided for advocacy efforts.
Interested participants should reach out to Nicholas Hernandez at nicholas@extremeweathersurvivors.org for more information. The bill has gained support from several advocacy organizations, including the Climate Action Campaign, Consumer Watchdog, and California Environmental Voters.
SB 982 – The Affordable Insurance and Recovery Act Fact Sheet.docx
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Alice J. Roden started working for Trending Insurance News at the end of 2021. Alice grew up in Salt Lake City, UT. A writer with a vast insurance industry background Alice has help with several of the biggest insurance companies. Before joining Trending Insurance News, Alice briefly worked as a freelance journalist for several radio stations. She covers home, renters and other property insurance stories.