Around the PIA Western Alliance States – Week of November 9, 2026

California — Wildfires & Renewals in Three California Counties: Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara ordered insurance companies to preserve residential property insurance coverage for approximately 50,000 policyholders in Tuolumne, Stanislaus, and Calaveras counties after Governor Gavin Newsom issued an emergency declaration for the Dove Fire. The Commissioner’s Bulletin shields those living within the fire perimeters or adjoining ZIP Codes of the Dove Fire from insurance non-renewal or cancellation for one year from the date of the Governor’s emergency declaration, regardless of whether they suffered a loss.

The one-year moratorium issued in the Commissioner’s Bulletin also extends to certain commercial property insurance policies including commercial insurance policies with less than $25,000 in annual premium, for homeowners’ associations, apartment complexes, student housing, and senior living facilities, among other specified real property used primarily for residential and habitational purposes, within the same perimeters and adjoining ZIP Codes. This newly expanded moratorium on certain commercial property insurance policies is a result of Commissioner Lara sponsoring the Business Insurance Protection Act (SB 547, Chapter 544, Statutes of 2025) last year that went into effect on January 1, 2026.

“I am acting to protect thousands of Californians from the stress of losing their insurance coverage after experiencing a wildfire emergency,” said Commissioner Lara. “This protection is needed now as we bring back insurance options to all parts of our state from those who need them the most.”

Commissioner Lara’s moratorium actions protected more than 1.2 million homeowners in 2025 under the residential moratorium law and more than 4 million homeowners statewide since the law’s enactment in 2019. Consumers who were non-renewed prior to the emergency declaration date and are unable to obtain insurance or are dissatisfied with their current coverage should contact the California Department of Insurance for assistance in understanding their options and tools.

Under Commissioner Lara’s Sustainable Insurance Strategy, 12 insurance groups, including seven of the state’s largest homeowners carriers – Farmers, Mercury, Auto Club of Southern California, CSAA, USAA, Liberty Mutual, and Travelers, plus moderate sized companies like companies Pacific Specialty, Privilege Underwriters Reciprocal Exchange (PURE), California Casualty, and Horace Mann, and new entrants MS Transverse, and Trusted Resource Underwriters Exchange of Ohio (TRUE) – have announced they are staying and growing in parts of the state affected by wildfires.

Consumers can go to the Department of Insurance website to see if their ZIP Code is included in the moratorium. Consumers can also contact the Department at 800-927-4357 or via online chat or email at insurance.ca.gov if they believe their insurance company is in violation of this law or have additional claims-related questions.

Commissioner Lara’s major wildfire-related actions since taking office in 2019 include:

Conceptualizing and implementing California’s Sustainable Insurance Strategy, the largest insurance reform in thirty years. This new strategy is a comprehensive approach to modernizing California’s insurance market by improving insurance choices for consumers, creating a resilient insurance market, and protecting communities from climate threats, while addressing the long-term sustainability of the nation’s largest insurance market.

Creating “Safer from Wildfires,” a new insurance framework that incorporates wildfire safety measures to help save lives while making homes and businesses more resilient. Safer from Wildfires was created by a first-ever partnership between the Department and the emergency and preparedness agencies in the Governor’s Administration, including the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES), the then-Governor’s Office of Planning and Research, and the California Public Utilities Commission.

Finalizing new regulations to incorporate Safer from Wildfires in insurance pricing, driving down costs for consumers who have taken actions to protect their communities while increasing transparency about their home’s or business’s “wildfire risk score.”

Sponsoring new insurance protections signed into law by the Governor — despite opposition from insurance companies — that will mean larger payouts for some claims, less red tape from insurance companies, and more help for people under evacuation orders.

Expanding residential and commercial coverage limits at the FAIR Plan for the first time in 25 years to keep pace with increased costs.

Following the Governor’s state of emergency declarations, the Department of Insurance partners with CAL FIRE and CalOES, pursuant to existing statute, to identify wildfire perimeters for mandatory moratorium areas. The Department will continue to collaborate with CAL FIRE and CalOES to identify additional wildfire perimeters for any fires where there is a gubernatorial declaration of a state of emergency.

Montana — ObamaCare Fraud: State Auditor James Brown helped prevent roughly $9.5 million more in unsupported payouts by a health insurer impacted by an Obamacare fraud scheme that targeted Montana’s native communities. To date, the Auditor’s Office has helped stop more than $55.6 million in unsupported payouts associated with the scheme.

The treatment and billing scheme abused an Affordable Care Act (ACA, also known as Obamacare) provision allowing tribal members to enroll year-round with no waiting period. The fraudsters exploited victims by:

Convincing members of Montana’s native communities to disenroll from Medicaid or other existing health coverage;

Enrolling them in Obamacare plans using fake information;

Transporting them across state lines for alleged addition treatment, and;

Billing Montana insurers for treatments that never occurred, were inadequate, unnecessary, or provided at inflated costs.

The fraud scheme impacted two Montana insurers – PacificSource and Mountain Health Co-Op – for which 160 rescissions have been approved, totaling $55.6 million. There are at least 216 suspected rescission cases across the two insurers, amounting to more than $60.8 million in claims charges.

“Every dollar that we stop in fraudulent billing is a dollar saved for Montana consumers and taxpayers. Fighting fraud is a critical part of keeping life affordable,” Auditor Brown said.

The agency’s ongoing investigation revealed that “body brokers” targeted homeless shelters on or near tribal reservations, promising vulnerable persons free luxury rehab, as well as transportation, housing, and cash incentives. Some victims were provided alcohol or drugs during transport or at the time of medical evaluation to keep them compliant.

Investigators found that victims were housed in substandard conditions, shuffled around different facilities, and abandoned far from their homes without resources to return, potentially contributing to the scourge of missing and murdered indigenous persons.

“This fraud scheme is particularly despicable. I’m determined to not only prevent the fraudulent billing, but to help hold the perpetrators fully accountable,” Auditor Brown added.

Montanans should be suspicious of unsolicited offers of treatment or recovery services, pressure to switch insurance coverage, promises of free transportation to out-of-state facilities, and unfamiliar individuals with large vans visiting communities.

For more information on the agency’s work and resources related to Montana’s native communities, visit csimt.gov/indian-country-resources/.

Nevada — El Nino Flooding: Forecasters across Nevada are predicting a “super” El Niño to roll through during the fall and winter months. Flood preparedness and prevention should be top of mind for residents, as we acknowledge Nevada Flood Awareness Week (November 8 to November 14). The Division of Insurance (“The Division”) and the Office of Emergency Management (“NV OEM”) are urging Nevadans to create a plan of action now, because the increased rainfall could cause major flooding across the state, especially near recent burn scars.

Last month, Southern Nevada saw flash flooding due to Tropical Storm Rachel, while northern areas were issued flood watches or advisories. Thunderstorms in June brought a series of flash flooding and mudslides throughout the Washoe and Storey County area. The flooding impacted numerous homes and prompted emergency shelter-in-place orders for Hidden Valley. If this winter is wetter than normal, Nevadans can take steps now to be ready.

Insurance Commissioner Ned Gaines encourages Nevadans to evaluate their flood risks and explore flood insurance options. Standard homeowners’, renters’ and commercial insurance policies do not cover flood damage. Even in the event of a federal disaster, aid is typically provided in the form of low-interest loans which must be paid back and are likely to only cover a portion of your costs. However, the comprehensive portion of your auto coverage could cover damage to your vehicle.

Consumers should keep in mind that several insurers offer a private flood policy. The Division suggests contacting your insurance agent or visit FloodSmart.gov to learn more about available flood insurance options and locate a participating provider. Consumers may also obtain flood coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program, but it takes 30 days for the policy to activate, and most plans only cover up to $250,000.

NV OEM Chief Brett Compston recommends being 30 Days Ready for any emergency, as large storms may also bring extended power outages, evacuations, or require families to remain at home for days at a time. Pack emergency kits for your home and car, including flashlights, extra food, water, and warm clothes. For a full list of items to pack, visit oem.nv.gov/30-days.

Should forecasters warn of an upcoming storm, follow the National Weather Service, local officials and the media to stay up to date on the latest conditions.

The Nevada Office of Emergency Management’s mission is helping Nevada prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies and disasters by building a more resilient Nevada through coordination and partnerships. Visit oem.nv.gov for more information.

For more information about the Division of Insurance and its services for consumers and industry professionals, visit doi.nv.gov (link: https://doi.nv.gov/).

Nevada Division of Insurance Flood Insurance Information

https://bit.ly/4iJpxel

Contact Us:

Carson City office:

Phone: (775) 687-0700 | Fax: (775) 687-0787

Consumer Compliance & Licensing Fax: (775) 687-0797

1818 E. College Pkwy., Suite 103

Carson City, NV 89706

Las Vegas office:

Phone: (702) 486-4009 | Fax: (702) 486-4007

3300 W. Sahara Ave., Suite 275

Las Vegas, NV 89102

Call Toll-free: (888) 872-3234

Email: insinfo@doi.nv.gov

New Mexico — New Mexico Agent Appointment Renewal Invoices for 2027: The New Mexico Office of the Superintendent of Insurance (OSI) will process all company appointments electronically through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR). The appointment renewal invoice will include all resident/nonresident appointment renewals.

All agents will appear on the renewal list unless the agent was terminated by 11:59 p.m. CST on December 28, 2026.

Information and Dates

Appointment billings become available, and payments may be submitted starting on January 4, 2027 at 8:00 AM CST.

The appointment invoice and a list of agents associated with the invoice will be available on the NIPR website at www.nipr.com on the morning of January 4, 2027, at 8:00am CST through 5:00 p.m. CST, April 30, 2027.

Appointment terminations can only be processed for appointments that are shown as active on the Producer Data Base (PDB) at the time the termination transaction is sent to NIPR.

Appointments added on or after December 29, 2026, will be assigned a 2028 renewal date and will not be included on this year’s invoice.

The deadline to submit an agent termination is 11:59 p.m. on December 28, 2026. No reconciliation will be allowed on or after December 28, 2026.

If the company fails to pay the renewal invoice by the April 30, 2027, deadline, all agent appointments will be terminated.

To activate those appointments, the company will need to reappoint and pay initial appointment fees again via www.nipr.com.

NIPR transaction processing fees are nonrefundable.

By using NIPR’s electronic appointment renewals, the NIPR invoice will be updated as paid, and the transactions to renew will be forwarded to OSI within 24 business hours.

NIPR will display the invoices as paid once payment is received.

NIPR Transaction Fees

The NIPR renewal processing fee is 1% of the total state fee charged, with a minimum of $5 and a maximum of $1,000.

For example: For 400 appointments, the State Fee per Appointment Renewal = $20, the Total State Appointment Renewal Fee = $8,000, and the NIPR transaction fee = $80.

Transaction fees must be paid to renew and NIPR processing fees are not refundable.

Process Beginning January 4th, 2027.

Go to www.NIPR.com

Follow the links to company appointment renewals and sign in using any of your company identifiers:

Company CoCodes

FEIN

Company Name

After entering the necessary identifying information, you can:

Print/pay invoice

View the detailed appointment renewal report

Print report

Download the report as both txt and XML

Help screens and NIPR Customer Support are available to guide you through the process.

If you have any questions regarding this new appointment renewal process, contact NIPR Customer Service at support@nipr.com