We explore a recent investigative story by the New York Times about how industry-favored loopholes crafted behind closed doors at the California Department of Insurance have undermined fire recovery, and how Los Angeles fire survivors are now calling on Governor Gavin Newsom to ask Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara to resign.

Guests:

Branislav Kecman, Altadena fire survivor

Jill Spivack, Pacific Palisades, fire survivor

Zaire Calvin, Altadena fire survivor

Joy Chen, executive director, Eaton Fire Survivors Network

Carmen Balber, executive director, Consumer Watchdog

Jo Becker, reporter, New York Times

In this episode we examine how technology has increasingly taken over every aspect of our home insurance policies, from the algorithm that decides how much insurance we need when we sign up, to the algorithm that determines what it'll cost to rebuild after a disaster, to the ones that set your fire risk score and decide how much companies get to charge for future disasters. The data that feeds this technology is often incorrect and always hidden from public view. And there is a big company behind it: Verisk.

Guests:

Barbara Holub, Marshall Fire survivor

Bill May, Palisades Fire survivor

Thomas Loeser, attorney

Harvey Rosenfield, Consumer Watchdog founder

Ben Armstrong, Actuary

Dave Cortese, California state senator

There are many planets in the insurance claims galaxy. Once you file a claim, in come industrial hygienists to perform testing, and remediation companies to do clean up. Many only work for insurance companies. There are high-end consultants who are brought in and downplay the damage, and contractors that use fancy language to dress up all the work they don’t do. But too often, they are instruments to underpay and under clean homes. Stay with us as we pull the curtain back.

Guests:

Dylan Schaffer, attorney

Jesse Morrow, Altadena fire survivor

Karen Girard, Altadena fire survivor

Dawn Bolstad-Johnson, industrial hygienist

Jenny Kampmeier, Altadena fire survivor

Links

ConsumerWatchdog.org/SmokeAndMirrors

Smoke damage has become a major issue for wildfire victims of the Eaton and Palisades fires. In this episode, we go present a tip guide for policyholders on getting smoke damage claims paid from those who know best: folks who have gone through it. You’ll be hearing from fire survivors who have fought and won, public adjusters who seek to get claims paid on behalf of policyholders, attorneys who litigate in court against insurance companies, and experts in toxins and testing.

You’ll hear from:

• Fire Survivors who fought back and successfully claimed compensation
• Public Adjusters who advocate for homeowners
• Attorneys who litigate against insurance companies
• Environmental & Toxin Experts who test for smoke contamination

Whether you’re filing a new claim, appealing a denial, or preparing your home for inspection, this episode provides a practical roadmap to maximize your insurance recovery.

Guests:

Justin Kloczko, Dylan Schaffer, Dawn Bolstad-Johnson, Wendy Davis, Tim McCune

Links

https://consumerwatchdog.org/smokeandmirrors