L.A. fire victims say state regulators ignored complaints about State Farm - Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
by Paige St. JohnFebruary 19, 2026
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The Los Angeles Times reported on growing frustration among wildfire victims in California who claim the state’s Department of Insurance failed to address their complaints against State Farm. Despite urging residents to file formal grievances, many say the department has done little to resolve issues or prevent new problems with how State Farm handles insurance claims. Homeowners and their representatives report widespread delays, denied payments for cleanup and rebuilding costs, and poor communication from both State Farm and state regulators.
The article highlights specific examples of struggles faced by fire survivors, including delays in receiving compensation for living expenses, demands to sign legal papers without proper documentation, and frequent turnover among insurance adjusters. Some claim State Farm is cutting off prepaid rentals for those not yet able to return home, while others say their cases were closed before disputes were settled. Len Kendall, a Pacific Palisades fire survivor, expressed deep mistrust in the system, stating it feels “not legitimate” as complaints are ignored and policyholders left in the dark.
The Department of Insurance claims to have recovered over $210 million for fire victims through its interventions, but survivors argue this figure doesn’t reflect their ongoing struggles. A former senior complaint handler at the department was recently disciplined after criticizing State Farm’s claim practices internally. This lack of transparency and accountability has deepened mistrust between fire victims and regulators, raising questions about whether the state is fulfilling its role to protect consumers.
The situation underscores broader concerns about the effectiveness of regulatory oversight in addressing systemic issues within
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Originally published on Los Angeles Times on 2/19/2026