The fires enveloping Palisades, Los Angeles are leaving celebrities and citizens of California homeless. As it spreads like a virus- only leaving destruction in its path, insurance companies are on their path to canceling victim’s fire insurance.
“The move was justified by the company as an attempt to avoid ‘financial failure’,” Newsweek.com said after questioning State Farm on why they cancelled the fire insurance policies.
“No, I do not support insurance companies’ decisions to cancel people’s fire insurance because many people right now have been left vulnerable due to the fires and they rely on these companies for financial security,” Joanne Shyr, a student at NVD said, disagreeing with insurance companies’ decisions.
It may be considered a reasonable decision from a company standpoint, however those who lost their home are not so agreeable.
“I know I’m not supposed to be here, but this is my parents’ home. They just got canceled from their fire insurance. So they’re dealing with this…They’re 90 years old. They’ve lived in this house for 75 years. They’ve had the same insurance, and these insurance people decided to cancel their fire,” Abc7.com said after interviewing a victim of the fire.
An ER nurse who was interviewed by abc7.com replied with this emotional statement concerning her 90 year old parents who are left with no home and no way to buy another because of State Farm cancelling their insurance.
“I feel really bad for the people who have been affected by the fires. I feel really sad that the entire city is being destroyed. What makes me sad also is knowing that fires like this are only going to be more frequent and worse as climate change worsens,” Joanne Shen, a student at NVD said. Sharing sympathy for those affected as well as bringing up the more broader concern for climate change.
Shen is not the only student at NVD to share the same sympathy for the victims.
“I feel like the fires happening in LA are truly devastating with the amount of people being displaced from their homes in order to evacuate,” Joanne Shyr sophomore at NVD said regarding the fires.
Actor Tyler Perry used social media to address how the victims of the fire have been paying thousands in insurance only for the safety net they pay for to be swept from right under their feet.
“Does anyone else find it appalling that insurance companies can take billions of dollars out of communities for years and then, all of a sudden, be allowed to cancel millions of policies for the very people they became rich on?” Tyler Perry posted on Instagram.com.
So what is being done to protect the rest of California from having the same thing happen to them?
“I think a good course of action during this time for people living in California is to push for state-level reforms that go against insurance cancellations and for measures that stabilize the safety of the people,” Shyr said in regards to managing the problem that continues to grow.
Coincidentally, that is what both the California Insurance Commissioner and Congressman Sherman have instituted.
“California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara has banned insurance companies from canceling or not renewing policies for homeowners affected by the Palisades and Eaton fires for one year, his office announced,” Abc7.com said of Lara’s ban.
This was instituted to help prevent the spread of more harm being done by insurance companies. However, before its release many had already become victims to these unfortunate circumstances. In recent light of events, Sherman and the government have provided access to all those in need with no insurance and affected by the fires to FEMA. Providing a solution for the time being which many are hopeful will benefit the victims.
“The Administration has approved a major disaster declaration for the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles County. The declaration provides a number of programs to assist individuals, households and businesses, along with assistance for public agencies and selected non-profits that have participated in response efforts,” Congressman Brad Sherman said on his website to help with the victims whose fire insurance has been retracted by the companies.
The idea to help victims expands to not only those in the public eye but students as well.
“I think a good course of action right now is to provide immediate relief to those living in LA, increase fire safety and fireproof homes. Address climate change to avoid future fires.” Shen said. Seemingly on the same page as Congressman Sherman.
Victims are focusing on their present and people with sympathy are looking towards the future.
“I think the best outcome that could be possible would be when the fires eventually die out and society returns back to normal. The best outcome would be that people are able to return to their homes given enough aid, housing, and funds,” Shyr said, sharing her positive outlook in hopes of people’s lives returning to normal.
