LA Wildfire: This is how to file an insurance claim if your home was affected

Firefighters are finally making headway in their battle against the raging wildfires afflicting southern California and the hope is that conditions will improve in the coming days to aid in that effort. Still, at least 200,000 residents have already been forced to flee their homes as the blaze threatened their neighborhoods and thousands of structures have been damaged or destroyed.

The California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara issued a message to those who have been affected by the wildfires to first and foremost find a safe place to shelter. He advises to stay away from the disaster area for the time being and not to rush to any decisions when it comes to dealing with insurance companies.

“We’re just asking people to call our department, do not sign anything under duress,” Lara said. He is worried about people being taken advantage of by out-of-state adjusters. “This is a very traumatic moment ... and we want to let them know that please look out for fraud, do not sign anything, and we’re here to be able to help them through the entire process,” he added.

How to file an insurance claim if your home was affected by the LA wildfires

Property owners whose home or business was affected by the wildfires should know that they have a three-day cooling period before they need to make any decision with a public adjuster. That said it is recommended to contact your insurance company or agent as soon as possible to begin the process of filing a claim. You can check to see if your insurance company has an app that you can use, many of them do.

Even if your house didn’t receive any visible fire damage, you may want to ask that your house be inspected for damage from smoke or extreme heat from the flames.

When you contact your insurer, you should inquire about any requirements and deadlines. Keep a record of your exchanges with them, writing down any information that they give you. Send a follow-up email to your contact with the insurance company to confirm any details discussed to keep a digital paper trail.

Also, keep all your receipts for the out-of-pocket expenses that you incur. When it is safe, take pictures and keep an inventory of damaged items but do not discard them until an assessment has been completed by the insurance adjuster.

What to expect from the insurance company

While insurance claims for wildfire damage can take several months, even years, to fully process, your insurer is required to provide some relief up front. This includes a minimum one-third of the estimated value of your personal belongings in addition to at least four months’ worth of rent for the local area in which you live according to state regulations.

These payments are mandatory whether on not an adjuster has inspected your property says Micheal Soller, a spokesperson with the California Department of Insurance reports the Los Angeles Times. You can also check out a list of 10 tips for wildfire claimants the department provides.

In the event you feel that you are not receiving the proper treatment from your insurer, the California Department of Insurance has an online form that homeowners can use to file complaints. You can also contact the department at 1-800-927-4357 or visit insurance.ca.gov.

President Joe Biden declared the fires in southern California a major disaster freeing up FEMA funds to victims of the blazes. So you should also register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to receive federal disaster assistance.

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