Researchers Launched Wildfire Insurance Survey
The initiative seeks to document insurer conduct for California residents affected by recent wildfires.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Insurance
Live Poll
Do you trust that insurance companies fulfill their promises to customers after major wildfire disasters?
Every Fire Survivor's Network and UCLA researchers have launched a survey to track insurance company performance following the Eaton and Palisades fires. The effort aims to establish a public record of claims processing and potential illegal conduct.
Why it matters
The project seeks to increase insurance company accountability through periodic scorecards and identifies potential legal issues for policyholders. This data serves as a resource for documenting experiences after devastating California wildfires.
The survey has collected over 1,100 responses from survivors. The project team plans to update insurer scorecards every six months following the release of findings.
The players
Every Fire Survivor's Network
This advocacy organization focuses on supporting individuals who have lost property and belongings in major wildfire events.
UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs
This academic institution conducts research into public policy and social issues, including the impact of climate-related disasters.
State Farm
This is a large insurance carrier that has faced prior litigation regarding its handling of wildfire-related property claims in California.
The details
Participants complete a 15-minute questionnaire designed by consumer-fraud attorneys and insurance bad-faith litigators. Researchers mask identifying information to create aggregated reports on claims, denials, and customer satisfaction.
Timeline
The survey officially launched on Sept. 14, 2026.
Researchers plan to share findings in early November 2026.
Market Dynamics
This project follows the pattern set by the 170-page county lawsuit against State Farm by using data-driven documentation to hold insurers accountable. It reflects a broader effort to formalize survivor experiences into legal and regulatory evidence.
Policyholders can contribute their experiences to a public dataset that may influence future regulatory oversight of insurance carriers. Participants must provide their property address to ensure data security throughout the research process.
The takeaway
This initiative transforms personal insurance struggles into actionable data to monitor carrier performance. Survivors should ensure their documentation is accurate to assist researchers in identifying industry-wide trends.
Further reading
Learn more about coverage issues on our Insurance page.
More information
To contribute to the research, visit the wildfire survivor insurance survey portal.
Live Poll
Do you trust that insurance companies fulfill their promises to customers after major wildfire disasters?
