The state’s insurance of last resort is charging a $1 billion special assessment to private insurance providers, a move approved Tuesday by the state’s insurance commissioner after a record number of FAIR Plan claims were filed after January wildfires in Los Angeles County.

The California FAIR Plan, the insurer of last resort, received approval to assess member carriers $1 billion to help pay its L.A. fire losses -- with consumers possibly on the hook for nearly half.

California property and casualty insurers may recover up to half of the $1 billion California FAIR PLAN assessment through a temporary supplemental fee on policyholders, according to a report from AM Best. The measure is intended to help maintain market stability and coverage availability, according to Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara.