FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, May 11, 2026
CONTACT: Sam Villaneda, Samantha.Villaneda@asm.ca.gov, (760) 269-9391
Tom Steel, Tom.Steel@asm.ca.gov, (530) 713-7783
Assemblymembers Harabedian & Zbur Advance Bill Extending Insurance Protections for Wildfire Survivors
Measure Responds to Growing Recovery Delays Facing Wildfire Survivors Across California
(SACRAMENTO, CA) – Today, Assemblymember John Harabedian (D–Pasadena) and Assemblymember Rick Zbur (D-Hollywood) passed AB 2038 off the Assembly Floor, advancing critical protections for California homeowners recovering from devastating wildfires and other natural disasters. The bill now moves to the State Senate.
AB 2038 extends existing insurance moratorium protections by requiring insurance companies to renew residential policies for at least three years when a home is a total loss due to a disaster, and for at least two years when a property is located in or adjacent to a fire perimeter ZIP Code.
“As communities across California continue rebuilding from catastrophic wildfires, families need stability and time to recover; not the added fear of losing their insurance coverage,” said Assemblymember John Harabedian (D–Pasadena). “AB 2038 recognizes the reality that rebuilding after a disaster is more expensive and time-consuming than ever before. California homeowners deserve protections that reflect the true timeline of recovery.”
“Families recovering from devastating wildfires should not have to worry about losing their insurance coverage while they are still trying to rebuild their homes and their lives,” said Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur (D-Hollywood). “I’m grateful for Asm. Harabedian’s leadership on this important bill to extend critical consumer protections and provide families with greater stability and peace of mind during recovery, and I’m excited to see it move off the Assembly Floor and continue its path through the Senate. There’s more work ahead, but this is an important step forward for California homeowners.”
The bill builds upon SB 824 (Lara, 2018), which authorized the California Department of Insurance to issue temporary moratoriums preventing insurers from canceling residential insurance policies following a declared state of emergency. Under current law, those protections last one year for homes located in or adjacent to a fire perimeter ZIP Code and two years for total-loss properties. AB 2038 extends those timelines to better reflect the modern realities of disaster recovery.
The need for these protections became especially clear following the Eaton and Palisades fires in January 2025, which devastated communities across Altadena and Los Angeles County and displaced nearly 192,000 residents.
AB 2038 is supported by consumer advocates, local governments, wildfire survivors, and recovery stakeholders focused on protecting survivors’ ability to remain in their communities while rebuilding.
AB 2038 will be heard in the California Senate in June.
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Assemblymember John Harabedian represents the 41st District composed of the cities of La Cañada Flintridge, Pasadena, Altadena, Sierra Madre, Monrovia, Bradbury, San Dimas, La Verne, Claremont, Upland, Rancho Cucamonga, Oak Hills, Piñon Hills and Phelan.
