Senator Allen’s bill to require clearer nonrenewal notices advances out of Assembly Insurance Committee
June 24, 2026 | California State Assembly, House, Legislative, California
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Senator Allen asked the Assembly Insurance Committee to advance SB 1301, a bill he said would make property-insurance nonrenewal notices more actionable and give homeowners a path to retain coverage.
The bill would require insurers to disclose specific, community-level reasons when they choose not to renew a policy related to wildfire risk, offer a mitigation opportunity that lets policyholders fix identified issues and provide evidence to regain coverage, and prohibit certain unreasonable nonrenewal practices—such as nonrenewals based solely on claims below the deductible or claims that were not covered by the policy, the senator told the committee.
Why it matters: Supporters said many Californians receive opaque nonrenewal letters that give no clear path to remain insured after a disaster. "We did everything we were told on a roof that was functioning properly, spent money we didn't have, and still lost our coverage," said Magda Molina, a Los Angeles homeowner who testified in support of the bill. Molina said she spent about $8,000 to meet insurer requests but was later told a full roof replacement—more than $30,000—would be required and the policy was not renewed.
Carmen Balber, executive director of Consumer Watchdog, told the committee SB 1301 grew from consumer complaints and would cut through contradictory or vague insurer instructions. She noted the committee accepted amendments and that one change shortens timelines; the bill, as amended, would still provide consumers 120 days' notice in cases where mitigation is possible.
Industry reaction: Trade groups including the American Property Casualty Insurance Association and the Personal Insurance Federation of California said they moved to neutral on the amended bill but warned of remaining implementation issues. "We are neutral on the bill," said a representative of the property-casualty trade group, adding that regulators and lawmakers should consider the cumulative effects of multiple bills on market capacity.
Vote and next steps: The committee voted to pass SB 1301 as amended to the Committee on Appropriations. The roll call recorded several 'aye' votes and a small number of 'no' votes (Ellis and Hadwick recorded 'no'); some members were recorded as not voting. The bill will proceed to the next committee for further consideration.
The meeting left the roll open briefly for missing members before closing the item.
The bill would require insurers to disclose specific, community-level reasons when they choose not to renew a policy related to wildfire risk, offer a mitigation opportunity that lets policyholders fix identified issues and provide evidence to regain coverage, and prohibit certain unreasonable nonrenewal practices—such as nonrenewals based solely on claims below the deductible or claims that were not covered by the policy, the senator told the committee.
Why it matters: Supporters said many Californians receive opaque nonrenewal letters that give no clear path to remain insured after a disaster. "We did everything we were told on a roof that was functioning properly, spent money we didn't have, and still lost our coverage," said Magda Molina, a Los Angeles homeowner who testified in support of the bill. Molina said she spent about $8,000 to meet insurer requests but was later told a full roof replacement—more than $30,000—would be required and the policy was not renewed.
Carmen Balber, executive director of Consumer Watchdog, told the committee SB 1301 grew from consumer complaints and would cut through contradictory or vague insurer instructions. She noted the committee accepted amendments and that one change shortens timelines; the bill, as amended, would still provide consumers 120 days' notice in cases where mitigation is possible.
Industry reaction: Trade groups including the American Property Casualty Insurance Association and the Personal Insurance Federation of California said they moved to neutral on the amended bill but warned of remaining implementation issues. "We are neutral on the bill," said a representative of the property-casualty trade group, adding that regulators and lawmakers should consider the cumulative effects of multiple bills on market capacity.
Vote and next steps: The committee voted to pass SB 1301 as amended to the Committee on Appropriations. The roll call recorded several 'aye' votes and a small number of 'no' votes (Ellis and Hadwick recorded 'no'); some members were recorded as not voting. The bill will proceed to the next committee for further consideration.
The meeting left the roll open briefly for missing members before closing the item.
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