Tyler Perry accused insurance companies of canceling “millions in insurance policies” for Los Angeles homeowners before the devastating wildfires.
The filmmaker shared on Instagram on Sunday that he witnessed a woman using a garden hose to protect her 90-year-old family’s home “because their insurance was terminated.”
“Who finds it horrifying that insurance companies can extract billions of dollars from communities for years and then suddenly cancel millions of policies for the very people they made rich? Is there anyone else?” he wrote in a lengthy statement.
“People who have paid premiums all their lives are left with nothing out of pure greed,” Perry, 55, added.
“I continue to keep everyone in my prayers as we figure out what steps to take to do everything we can to help as many people as possible.”
The actor and director voiced his support as the Palisades and Eaton wildfires rage across the city, leaving many Angelenos, many without insurance, homeless.
According to the Los Angeles Times, State Farm General Insurance announced in March 2024 that it will not renew insurance policies for 30,000 expired homes and condominiums.
More than 1,600 policies were located in Pacific Palisades.
The same media reported that Chubb Insurance also refused to approve a new policy for high-value properties in fire-prone areas.
Allstate also suspended insurance policies, and Tokio Marine America Insurance Co. and Trans Pacific Insurance Co. also stopped offering policies in California, according to the Times.
However, Mercury Insurance was prepared to take on the company’s former customers.
The Palisades Fire had burned nearly 24,000 acres as of Sunday, and the Eaton Fire northeast of Los Angeles had burned more than 14,000 acres, according to Cal Fire.
Wildfires broke out last week, forcing more than 100,000 Los Angeles residents to evacuate their homes.
Paris Hilton, Miles Teller, Adam Brody and Eugene Levy were among the many celebrities who lost their homes in the fire.
Several celebrities, including Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and Angelina Jolie, have come forward to lend a helping hand to those in need.
