California official bans insurance cancellations, nonrenewals in wildfire-affected areas

California's insurance commissioner issued a one-year moratorium on policy nonrenewals and cancellations in areas affected by devastating wildfires in and around Los Angeles. 

“I am using my moratorium powers to prevent insurance companies from canceling or non-renewing policies in wildfire-impacted areas, so people don’t face the added stress of finding new insurance during this horrific event,” the state’s Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara said in a statement Thursday.

“I am working on all fronts to make sure wildfire victims get the benefits they are entitled to, and they get it as soon as possible.”

The mandate prevents insurers from cancelling or refusing to renew policies for properties located in any ZIP code within or adjacent to the fire perimeter. 

The California Department of Insurance said it may issue a supplemental bulletin for additional ZIP codes determined to be impacted by the state of emergency for Los Angeles and Ventura counties.  

Ten people have died as fierce winds fuel massive blazes in the Los Angeles area.

Entire neighborhoods have been obliterated with fires burning more than 10,000 homes and other structures since Tuesday, when flames first popped up north of downtown Los Angeles.