Axel Del Cid
By Axel Del Cid, Vice President, California Customer Relations for State Farm General
Los Angeles isn’t just where I’m from – it’s home.
It’s where I was born and raised, where I met my wife. It’s where our daughter had her first little league game. My entire family still lives in LA, and we return often to spend time with parents, relatives and lifelong friends. This city shaped who I am.
So when the 2025 wildfires devastated parts of Los Angeles, it was personal.
As evacuations unfolded, my wife and I drove four-and-a-half hours from northern California to help evacuate her mother when the fires put her home in jeopardy. Friends lost homes. Entire neighborhoods were changed overnight. Seeing the damage up close reinforced something I’ve always believed: recovery requires more than insurance coverage – it requires empathy, listening and a long‑term commitment to the people affected.
I know there’s a lot being said right now about insurance and wildfire recovery in California and, unfortunately, we know that there are wildfires now and there will be in the future. If you’re a customer living through this right now, we know – because we hear from you – that nothing changes what matters most: getting you answers, support, and progress you can feel.
That’s why my new role matters so much to me. I’ll be building on State Farm recovery efforts already underway – to help LA not only replace what was lost but rebuild stronger.
Why I Care Deeply About Los Angeles
Los Angeles has given me every opportunity I’ve had in life, including a career that brought me to State Farm. I served as a State Farm agent in Los Angeles for nearly five years and experienced the insurance journey from nearly every angle – most importantly through the eyes of customers. I’ve partnered closely with claims professionals and agents. I’ve walked alongside families during some of their hardest moments – the passing of a loved one, a serious car accident, the loss of a home due to fire.
In that time, I learned: This city is resilient. In moments of crisis, Angelenos show up for one another. But rebuilding after a wildfire is exhausting, emotional and often overwhelming. It takes time.
I’m proud of how State Farm teams responded to the wildfires – from claims professionals mobilizing quickly, to agents supporting customers and communities under extreme stress. We’re a company made up of people and we’re always working to make the experience better for customers. And we know recovery doesn’t end after the immediate response.
Our claims professionals – nearly 200 of them – are still here, on the ground, working to help customers and answer questions. Dedicated employees who have been working in California for over a year staying in contact with the customers we’re serving.
I’ll be there too.
I’m Here to Listen
As Los Angeles recovers, my first priority is simple: listen.
I’ll be looking at feedback that’s already come in and talking with claim teams on the ground. When I spend time with customers, I want to understand how the recovery process feels – what’s helping, what’s frustrating, and where we can improve. That can mean fewer handoffs, faster callbacks, clearer letters, making sure customers know exactly what happens next.
I’ll also focus on long-term needs and how State Farm can best partner in community rebuilding. To me, this work is about helping families return to stronger homes and supporting long‑term resilience in California.
That’s the State Farm commitment I carry forward in this work.
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