California Insurance Commissioner Issues Formal...

California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones has issued a formal notice to all property and casualty insurance companies reminding them of their duty to cover damages from the recent mudslide and debris flows if it is determined that the recent wildfires were the “efficient proximate cause” of the mudslides. Based on preliminary information evaluated by the California Department of Insurance, there is a substantial basis to indicate that the Thomas fire was the efficient proximate cause of the flooding, mudflow, debris flow, mudslide, landslide, and other similar events in Santa Barbara County following the Thomas fire. The notice states that insurers should not deny these claims before undertaking a diligent investigation regarding the cause of loss.

 

California Insurance Commissioner Notice