# Wildfire Insurance Town Hall September 2026


**Body:** City of Laguna Beach
**Date:** September 30, 2026
**Jurisdiction:** SLED

**Tags:** Public Safety, Emergency Response, Regulatory Compliance


The City of Laguna Beach’s Wildfire Insurance Town Hall was held September 30, 2026, with Fire Department officials and a California Department of Insurance outreach analyst. The state representative discussed wildfire insurance availability and consumer protections, including insurers’ commitments to expand coverage, the California Fair Plan rate increase effective October 15, 2026, insurance options and cancellation/non-renewal rules, and the developing California Homes Safe grant for home hardening and defensible space. The presentation also covered recently signed state insurance bills and flood and earthquake coverage. No contracts, bids, vendor selections, or purchasing decisions were identified.

City officials reported that Laguna Beach improved its fire-service ISO rating from 3 to 2, has five approved Firewise communities and three more in development, and is pursuing a fire-risk-reduction designation. The city described fuel-modification work and free home-hardening consultations by fire inspectors. Officials discussed the state’s Zone Zero requirements, which are expected to apply initially to new construction and major remodels in very-high-fire-hazard areas, with public education prioritized before enforcement for existing homes. Residents also asked about forming Firewise communities, insurance discounts, and evacuation planning; officials said evacuation drills are not known to qualify for insurance discounts and that evacuation decisions would depend on incident conditions. No procurement-related motions or spending votes were reported.

**Source:** City of Laguna Beach