Tyler Perry blasts insurance companies for canceling policies ahead of LA wildfires: 'Pure greed'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Tyler Perry has voiced outrage over insurance companies canceling policies in wildfire-prone areas of Los Angeles.

In a heartfelt Instagram post on Sunday, January 12, Perry described the devastation of seeing families fight to protect their homes without the safety net of insurance.

Tyler Perry calls out insurers' actions of 'pure greed'

Speaking about the cancellation of insurance policies, Tyler Perry wrote, “Watching a daughter use a garden hose to try and protect her 90-year-old parents’ home because their insurance was canceled was just gut-wrenching to me."

He then accused insurers of exploiting communities. “Does anyone else find it appalling that insurance companies can take billions of dollars out of communities for years and then, all of a sudden, be allowed to cancel millions of policies for the very people they became rich on?” he asked.

“People who have paid premiums all of their lives are left with nothing because of pure greed,” said Perry.

The filmmaker pledged to explore ways to help those affected, writing, “As I am in the process of trying to figure out what steps to take to do all I can to help as many as I can, I am keeping everyone in my prayers.”

Insurance companies under fire

Tyler Perry’s criticism comes as major insurers, including State Farm, Allstate, and Chubb Insurance, have significantly reduced or canceled policies in California, according to the New York Post.

State Farm General alone announced earlier in 2024 that it would not renew 30,000 homeowner and condominium policies, including over 1,200 in Pacific Palisades, one of the areas hardest hit by the wildfires.

The practice of reducing coverage in high-risk areas has left thousands of families without financial protection, adding to the challenges posed by the fires.

The wildfires have caused catastrophic damage, with AccuWeather estimating total damages between $135 billion and $150 billion. This includes insured losses of $20 billion and uninsured losses exceeding $100 billion, making these fires the costliest in US history.

The fires have destroyed homes, businesses, schools, and critical infrastructure, leaving entire neighborhoods in ruins.

Among the thousands displaced are high-profile celebrities like Paris Hilton, Anthony Hopkins, Mel Gibson, Miles Teller, Adam Brody, and Tina Knowles, who have lost their homes.

The death toll has climbed to 24, with 16 fatalities reported in the Eaton Fire and eight in the Palisades Fire, according to the Los Angeles County medical examiner.