California

State Farm's "emergency" rate increase request was rejected by California's insurance commissioner.

Portfolio enhancements and diversifications cushion the impact of the L.A. wildfires from RMBS losses.

Banks and credit unions also extended financial relief to Californians affected by the fires, which have killed 28 people and burned thousands of homes.

It's not an unthinkable notion. There have been a handful of attempts at systematically moving populations away from regions severely affected by climate change.

The insurance market going into the Jan. 7 catastrophe already had been hit with non-renewals and cancellations -- and an overburdened state-supported insurance plan. A Morningstar analyst said the state insurance commissioner's reform strategy could have turned it around but now faces new obstacles.

When residents can finally return to see what's left of their homes, filing a claim and understanding the process could be challenging for many.

California's governor previously prohibited price gouging for building materials and housing services after wildfires destroyed or damaged 12,000 structures.

Verisk and Moody's are the first two modeling companies to submit their models to the California Department of Insurance. A Verisk executive explained the functioning of their model and what insurers' options are.

As the flames continued to spread, banks closed more branches while others donated to relief efforts.

A trio of blazes in SoCal have destroyed over 2,000 homes and structures in neighborhoods with average property values well above the national average.