Eaton Fire Survivors In the News

LA Times | Eaton fire victims call for investigation into State Farm for delays, violations

Speaking in front of State Farm’s catastrophe claim tent on Colorado Boulevard,, the group urged California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara to launch a formal investigation into the insurance giant, alleging that a series of delayed and denied claims has left wildfire victims in dire financial positions and unable to return to contaminated homes.

ABC7 | Eaton Fire victims demand California reject proposed 22% State Farm insurance rate hike

Matt Gabor, who lives in Altadena, says State Farm has refused to cover the damage to his home. Gabor says he, his wife, and their two young children have lived in five different places since the fire.

"Doing this as a full-time job, and just to have the insurance company that's supposed to have your back completely abandon you, it's just like, a living nightmare," Gabor said.

KNX Radio | ‘We will not go quietly’: Eaton Fire homeowners demand accountability from State Farm

Members of the Eaton Fire Survivor Network gathered outside the insurance company’s tent on Colorado Blvd. Joy Chen is with the group and called on California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara to do three things.

“Number one, launch a formal investigation into State Farm's handling of Eaton Fire and Palisades Fire claims,” she said. “ Number two, expedite all unresolved claims and pay them out with interest, and number three, deny this 17% rate hike until State Farm shows it will fulfill its obligations to California families.”

MyNewsLA | “Eaton Fire Survivors Calls Upon Insurance Commissioner to Investigate State Farm”

“Most people assume that if you pay your premiums, your insurer will be there when disaster strikes,” Joy Chen, a leader of the EFSN, said during the news conference. “But for many State Farm policyholders, the fire was just the start of their trauma. Each day since then, their financial and emotional devastation has grown because of State Farm’s actions.”

Patch | Fire Survivors Call for Investigation into State Farm Over Claims

Nine survivors of the Eaton Fire and longtime State Farm policyholders held a news conference outside the insurer's Pasadena tent Thursday to deliver a collective message: "State Farm is failing California families and must be held accountable.

"Most people assume that if you pay your premiums, your insurer will be there when disaster strikes," Joy Chen, a leader of the EFSN, said during the news conference. "But for many State Farm policyholders, the fire was just the start of their trauma. Each day since then, their financial and emotional devastation has grown because of State Farm's actions.”

Breitbart | Eaton Fire Survivors Denounce State Farm for Alleged Mishandling of Insurance Claims

“The disaster began with the Eaton fire, but for us, the real trauma began when we filed a smoke damage claim with State Farm,” said speaker Wendy Davis on Thursday.

Davis said that her five-bedroom home in Altadena remains covered in toxic soot and ash 100 days after the fire, adding that State Farm has “delayed, stonewalled and denied us the help that we’re entitled to” by routinely switching out adjusters.