The California FAIR Plan does not have enough money to weather the impact of the record-breaking Los Angeles wildfires on its own. Instead, it will turn to private insurers for help — triggering a process where insured California homeowners across the state will end up paying part of the bill.

In the wake of the Los Angeles fires, the California FAIR Plan, the state's property insurer of last resort, requested approval for $1 billion from the California insurance commissioner, which he approved the same day. That money will be assessed from all home insurers operating in the state.