California insurance laws
Insurance regulations, rate filing requirements, department info, and recent bulletins for California. Updated Mar 31, 2026.
Department of Insurance
California operates under Proposition 103 (1988), which established prior approval for all property and casualty insurance rates, making it one of the most consumer-protective regulatory environments in the nation. The California Department of Insurance (CDI) is the largest state consumer protection agency, with extensive authority over rate regulation, unfair practices, and market conduct. The state faces unique challenges with wildfire risk and insurance availability, leading to significant recent reforms including catastrophic modeling integration and FAIR Plan expansion.
Auto Insurance
Notable Laws
- Cal. Ins. Code § 11580.1(b) - Mandatory liability insurance with 30/60/15 minimums effective January 1, 2025 (SB 1107)
- Cal. Ins. Code § 11580.2 - Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage must be offered in same amounts as liability limits
- Cal. Ins. Code § 1861.02 - Proposition 103 requires prior approval for all auto insurance rates
- Cal. Ins. Code § 1861.025 - Credit scoring prohibited in auto insurance rating (since 2003)
- Cal. Veh. Code § 16029 - Criminal penalties for driving without insurance, including fines and license suspension
Homeowners Insurance
Notable Laws
- Cal. Ins. Code § 675.1 - Mandatory one-year moratorium on cancellations/non-renewals after declared state of emergency (wildfire protections)
- Cal. Ins. Code § 676.10 - Safer from Wildfires regulation requiring insurance discounts for mitigation measures (AB 1, effective 2024-2025)
- Cal. Ins. Code § 2051.5 - Prohibition on credit scoring in homeowners insurance rating
- Cal. Ins. Code §§ 10089-10089.90 - California FAIR Plan provisions for insurer of last resort coverage
- Cal. Ins. Code § 677 - 75-day advance notice requirement for non-renewal or cancellation (except 10 days for non-payment)
Recent Bulletins
One-Year Moratorium for Palisades, Eaton, Hurst, Lidia, Sunset and Woodley Fires
Mandatory one-year moratorium on cancellations and non-renewals of residential property insurance policies following the January 2025 Los Angeles area wildfires, with grace period for premium payments
View bulletinPrinciple-Based Reserving — Life Annual Aggregate Assessment
Annual assessment for principle-based reserving for life insurance companies, establishing reserve calculation requirements and assessment methodology for 2025
View bulletinPrinciple-Based Reserving — Long-Term Care Annual Aggregate Assessment
Annual assessment for principle-based reserving for long-term care insurance companies, establishing reserve calculation requirements and assessment methodology for 2025
View bulletinNew Law Imposes New Requirements for Law Enforcement Agencies and Bail Fugitive Recovery Agents
Implementation of new requirements for law enforcement agencies and bail fugitive recovery agents, including licensing, training, and operational standards
View bulletinMandatory Moratorium on Cancellations and Non-Renewals of Policies of Residential Property Insurance After the Declaration of a State of Emergency
One-year mandatory moratorium on cancellations and non-renewals of residential property insurance following declared state of emergency related to wildfires
View bulletinRecent Law Changes
The California Safe Homes Act
Establishes a new grant program within the Department of Insurance to assist residents with costs for fire-safe roofs and mitigation measures within five feet of their homes (Zone Zero hardening)
Homeowners can access state grants to make wildfire mitigation improvements, reducing insurance costs and improving safety
Effective: 2026-01-01
The FAIR Plan Stability Act
Authorizes the California FAIR Plan Association to access catastrophic bonds and credit lines to ensure the payment of consumer claims following major disasters, strengthening the insurer of last resort's financial capacity
FAIR Plan policyholders gain enhanced protection through access to emergency financing after catastrophic wildfire events
Effective: 2026-01-01
Infertility Treatment Health Care Coverage
Requires insurance coverage for fertility and infertility care, including IVF, and updates the definition of infertility to be inclusive of LGBTQ+ family planning, applying to large group plans
Large group health plan members gain coverage for IVF and fertility services, expanding access to family planning resources
Effective: 2026-01-01
Eliminate 'The List' Act
Requires insurers to pay 60 percent of contents coverage limits (capped at $350,000) to wildfire survivors without a detailed inventory, grants 100 days for proof of loss, and establishes data collection authority for climate risks
Wildfire victims receive faster claim payments without needing detailed inventories, easing the recovery process
Effective: 2026-01-01
The Business Insurance Protection Act
Extends existing one-year non-renewal protections to include commercial policies, homeowners' associations (HOAs), condominiums, affordable housing units, and non-profits following declared emergencies
Commercial policyholders, HOAs, and non-profits receive same one-year non-renewal moratorium protections as residential policyholders after disasters
Effective: 2026-01-01
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