Rebuilding Paradise: Challenges and Triumphs 5 Years After the Wildfire

Residents of Paradise, California, are struggling to rebuild their community after the devastating Camp Fire in 2018, as soaring home insurance costs make it unaffordable for many. Premiums near or exceed $10,000 annually, leaving residents wondering how they can afford to rebuild in an area that is supposed to be affordable. Several top home insurers have paused or restricted new business in California due to the costs of wildfires fueled by climate change. Efforts are being made to reform the system and make the private market more robust, but changes won't take effect for at least another year. Many residents are left with no choice but to rely on the California Fair Access to Insurance Requirements Plan, the insurer of last resort.