The Palisades and Eaton fires that began January 7, 2025, destroyed thousands of structures in Los Angeles County. The insurance map of those ZIP codes was not a surprise. A San Francisco Chronicle analysis of overlapping ZIP codes found State Farm at about 20% of residential policies in the fire footprint versus 14% statewide. The FAIR Plan held about 16% there versus 5% statewide. Farmers was about 12%.
The FAIR Plan later said it covered around 22% of structures destroyed in Palisades and 12% in Eaton, with potential exposure in the billions. When the insurer of last resort is that thick in a burn scar, every admitted carrier in California gets the assessment bill — and a lot of households outside L.A. eventually see a surcharge.
San Diego County was not in those perimeters. The market still moved. Nonrenewals, FAIR Plan growth, and rate filings after a catastrophe do not stay in one county.
If this is on your renewal, call the office at (619) 420-8600 or start a quote. We will tell you what the market will actually write.
Sources: San Francisco Chronicle on insurers in the L.A. fire area.