Survivors to Governor Newsom -- Fix California’s Insurance Crisis
Nov 7 2025
Dear friend,
Yesterday, something remarkable happened.
Eaton and Palisades fire survivors came together in Altadena with one message:
Governor Newsom, it’s time to replace Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara with a leader who will finally fix California’s insurance crisis.
And the nation heard us.
The New York Times. The Los Angeles Times. FOX News.
Major outlets across California all reported on survivors standing together and saying what we’ve known all along: when insurance fails, recovery fails.
👉 Add your name to the call for new leadership: lararesign.org
The New York Times Front Page
The New York Times is the most influential paper in the nation. Lawmakers, CEOs, and voters across the spectrum read it — even those who claim they don’t.
It’s rare for a California-only story to make the front page. But there we are, shoulder to shoulder, demanding fairness and accountability.
It means L.A. survivors are not victims. We are civic leaders calling for accountability and a better tomorrow for every Californian who pays an insurance premium and deserves a system they can trust.
We take no joy in asking anyone to resign. But the L.A. recovery is being held up by the failures of one person.
For nearly ten months, we’ve been urging Commissioner Lara to end the illegal delays and denials devastating our lives and stalling the entire L.A. recovery. He’s refused.
The last straw came this week with this week’s bombshell The New York Times exposé revealing that in 2023, Commissioner Lara struck a secret deal with insurers — a backroom agreement ironically called the Sustainable Insurance Strategy.
The deal incentivized insurers to dump 50,000 Californians from private coverage while allowing them to raise rates. It was publicly billed as a plan to reduce FAIR Plan enrollment, but in reality, enrollment doubled, leaving tens of thousands of Californians stranded just before the L.A. fires.
Now we face two insurance crises, both enabled by Commissioner Lara:
• Families who can’t buy or renew coverage
• Families who still have coverage but can’t access the benefits they’ve already paid for
A staggering 70% of insured L.A. families face delays and denials blocking their recovery.
At stake now is no less than the entire L.A. recovery.
The Los Angeles Times found that between 2017 and 2020, five major fires destroyed 22,500 homes — and by 2025, only 38% have been rebuilt.
The difference between recovery and ruin? Insurance.
When insurance pays promptly, communities rebuild. When it doesn’t, families never recover.
👉 See the evidence and add your name: lararesign.org
Ricardo Lara: Loves to Travel. Harder to Find When Californians Need Him
We all know Commissioner Lara loves to travel. Problem is, he’s often been away on the taxpayer dime — and when Californians need him, he’s just not here.
And right now, we really need him here.
While survivors fight to stay housed, Lara has been globe-trotting with the same insurance executives he’s supposed to regulate.
He’s failed Californians so completely that former Insurance Commissioner — now Congressman — John Garamendi took the extraordinary step of publicly calling for Lara’s resignation.
Every day Commissioner Lara stays in office, more L.A. fire survivors fall deeper into debt and displacement.
👉 Tell Governor Newsom: California can’t afford another year of Ricardo Lara.
Add your name at lararesign.org
What Comes Next
We’re not just asking for new leadership. We’ve built a Day-One Action Plan — five urgent steps our new Insurance Commissioner can take immediately to end the illegal delays and denials that have blocked our recovery for nearly a year.
Governor Newsom has the power to act.
It won’t be easy to get him to do it. But it’s possible if we do it together.
👉 Join the statewide call for new leadership: lararesign.org
You’ll find everything there: The New York Times front-page article, the investigations, the luxury trave l reports, the Day-One Action Plan, and a rare on-camera interview where Ricardo Lara finally tries to defend himself.
Most importantly, you’ll find a place to add your name and your voice.
Every signature brings California one step closer to accountability.
Two Community Events You’ll Love
EFSN Community Dinner
After all we’ve been through, we deserve to connect — in person, over good food, with people who understand. I hope to see you there!
Wednesday, November 12, 6:00–8:00 PM
El Patron | 2555 Lake Ave, Altadena, CA 91001
Sign up here.
Virtual Rebuilding Summit for Eaton & Palisades Survivors
Saturday, November 15
Are you rebuilding? You don’t have to do it alone — and you shouldn’t have to guess your way through it.
For the past two months, our team has been working nonstop to bring together top experts to answer your questions and guide you every step of the way.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
· Financial Assistance and Grants: What help is available and how to access it without getting lost in red tape.
· Permits and Fire Codes: Clear, practical guidance on state fire codes, LA County permitting, and what they mean for your rebuild.
· Rebuilding and Home Hardening, Start to Finish: A step-by-step walkthrough of the process, focused on making your next home stronger and safer.
This free, one-day online event brings every resource together in one place so you can finally get the clarity and direction you’ve been looking for.
Come for the sessions you need most, or stay for the full day. Everything you learn will help move your recovery forward.
Saturday, November 15 | 9:00 AM–5:00 PM | Free Online Event
Spaces are filling quickly. Register now: efsurvivors.net/rebuildingsummit
If you’re rebuilding, this is where your path gets clearer.
Help Keep EFSN Going
EFSN is survivor-led. Many of us have lost homes, savings, and stability, but we’re still showing up, for one another and for every Californian who expects fairness and accountability.
Every donation — whether $25, $100, or $1,000 or more — keeps this work going.
Please support our work:
👉 efsurvivors.net/donate
Survivors have done our part in trying to help fix the insurance crises blocking our recovery. We’ve organized, documented, and led. We’ve gathered over 500 firsthand accounts of insurer misconduct and built a five-step plan for enforcement.
Now, with the eyes of the nation on California, it’s time for our leaders to do their part.
With love and determination,
Joy Chen
Executive Director, Eaton Fire Survivors Network
efsurvivors.net
P.S. Every signature strengthens our call for an insurance system we can trust. Sign today to help restore fairness and accountability in California.
