California’s stringent regulatory landscape and soaring reinsurance expenses have compounded the difficulties faced by insurers following the devastating wildfires of January 2025, according to a report by Morningstar DBRS. The fires, which ravaged more than 16,000 structures in some of Southern California’s most affluent areas, have been deemed the costliest wildfire event in U.S. history, per the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Morningstar DBRS highlighted that reinsurance costs have remained significantly high since 2023. In light of this, reinsurance attachment points have risen, obliging primary insurers to shoulder greater risk and heightening their vulnerability to natural disasters.
Additional costs may also arise for insurers beyond their attachment points and reinsurance limits, such as reinstatement premiums, contingent on the specific configuration and extent of their reinsurance strategies.
This surge in reinsurance costs has compelled numerous insurers to reevaluate their offerings in California’s high-risk zones, with several leading insurers recently ceasing new policy issuances. In an attempt to mitigate these issues, California revised its insurance regulations in December 2024, thereby allowing insurers to transfer reinsurance expenses to consumers for the first time.
Some major insurers have resumed underwriting policies in response, while others remain cautious, adopting a wait-and-see stance.
Morningstar DBRS commented, “In our view, this regulatory reform is a positive step, yet it might not fully resolve the ongoing insurance crisis in California. Transferring high reinsurance costs to consumers could lead to affordability issues, potentially sparking further price interventions from advocacy groups, especially after the recent catastrophic losses.”
The Insurance Rate Reduction and Reform Act of 1988 imposes constraints on premium rate hikes, necessitating public hearings or settlements for increases over 7%, which often delays the implementation of essential rate modifications. Although the reform allowing the transfer of reinsurance costs to consumers is regarded as a beneficial move, the protracted regulatory procedures and persistent affordability concerns continue to pose formidable challenges in California’s insurance sector.
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