Insurance companies have distributed $4.2 billion in claims to survivors of the devastating Los Angeles County fires, according to the state Insurance Department's announcement on Thursday.
The payouts cover claims for homes, businesses, living expenses, and other disaster-related damages from the Eaton and Palisades fires that began on January 7th. The funds come from both traditional insurance companies and the FAIR Plan, a pool of insurers providing fire coverage in high-risk areas.
Property owners have submitted 31,210 claims related to the fires, with 14,417 receiving partial payments so far. The Insurance Department aims to raise awareness that claimants can receive advance funds without filing detailed itemized claims, which could provide critical immediate relief to affected residents.
"People can get money up front - this could be life-changing information for many," said Michael Soller, department spokesperson.
The department has organized workshops in Santa Monica and Altadena where insurance companies met directly with fire victims. Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara noted that some attendees received checks on the spot.
The Eaton fire in Pasadena claimed 17 lives and destroyed over 9,400 structures, while the Palisades fire resulted in 12 deaths and more than 6,800 destroyed structures. These rank as California's second and third most destructive wildfires in state history, surpassed only by 2018's Camp Fire in Butte County.
According to Amy Bach of United Policyholders, a consumer advocacy nonprofit, claim experiences have varied among FAIR Plan customers based on assigned adjusters and their workload capacity.
The fires are now nearly contained, but the claims process continues as affected residents work to rebuild their lives and communities.