Out-of-control wildfires burning across the Los Angeles area continued Friday morning, destroying at least 10,000 structures and causing estimated fire damage over $150 billion. Meteorologists have issued warnings for “critical red flag” conditions throughout the day, signaling that fire damage to homes and businesses will broaden into the weekend.
Insurance companies are bracing for the worst-case scenario as analysts at JPMorgan said Thursday that insured losses could top $20 billion.
JPM’s Jimmy Bhullar said insured loss estimates could be revised even higher “if the fires are not controlled.”
Bhullar said losses would be “confined mostly” to homeowners insurers like Allstate, Travelers, and Chubb, but noted that commercial property insurers like American International Group and Kinsale Capital Group could also be exposed.
Shares of Allstate dropped 5% in premarket trading, while Travelers fell 4%, Chubb -4%, AIG -3.5%, and Kinsale -1%.
The insurance company up to a week before the fire were canceling homeowners fire coverage! What Did They Know????
I don’t feel sorry for the insurance companies, they should pay but most likely will leave town bankrupt or not pay the full amount
I disagree, Al. The cancellations were brought about by California not approving a rate hike the insurance companies were requesting after fires last year. Just look at the environment the insurers are operating in -- no brush cleaning ever, water diverted because of a fish, fire hydrants empty, and it goes on and on. This problem was brought about by the democrats and government. Why should an insurance business try to operate in such and environment? Just my opinion.
20 billion in losses? Huh? More like several hundred billion in losses. There is massive devastation in this area now--and the fires continue to rage unabated.
You’re probably right about the losses being much greater than they are saying.
Consider this too -- LA has some of the highest property taxes in the country. Well, much of their tax base has now gone up in smoke. I would not be surprised if we see LA and possibly California go bankrupt.
Last, but not least, this disaster will affect all of us economically.
Biden should give each home owner $750 like he did those home owners in North Carolina and wish them all good luck.