Lynne Levin-Guzman stood in the front yard of her 90-year old parents’ home in Los Angeles County, California, trying to protect it with a garden hose — because their insurance company no longer would.

The wind-driven wildfires burning out of control in the Los Angeles area couldn't have emerged at a more perilous moment for California's homeowners, as officials try to rehab what they concede is a deepening "insurance crisis.

Insurance costs in one of the most expensive U.S. neighborhoods are relatively low Tight regulations keep prices down but discourage insurers Insurance costs more in New Orleans' Lower Ninth Ward Jan 9 - The Pacific Palisades area ravaged by wildfires in Los Angeles is one of the most expensive neighborhoods in the U.

The wildfires that destroyed homes in multiple sections of the Los Angeles area will test California’s efforts to stabilize the state’s insurance marketplace after many insurers stopped issuing residential policies due to the high fire risk.