As the smoke began to clear in some parts of Southern California on Friday, the toll of several large wildfires became more visible. As many as 10,000 homes and other structures have burned since Tuesday, leaving behind massive devastation that spans entire neighborhoods in the Los Angeles area.
If your home has been destroyed or damaged by wildfire, here’s what you need to know about the insurance claims process, your rights as a homeowner and how to prepare for what comes next.
What should I do if my home is destroyed or damaged?
Once you and your family are safe and the damage to your home can be assessed, you’ll need to call your insurance company to begin the claims process. Since that process can take months, it’s important to contact the company as soon as possible.Â
If your home has been completely destroyed and a state of emergency declared, your insurance company is required by law to issue a minimum payment up front, even if an adjuster hasn’t seen your property. This includes one-third of the replacement value of your personal belongings and a minimum of four months’ rent for the local area.
Review your homeowners or renters insurance policy carefully, including your limits. Start documenting and creating a paper trail to support your claims process. If you have photos of your property and vehicles prior to the fire, you can use those to help fill out your home inventory if you haven’t submitted one already.Â
After checking to see if your home is habitable, documenting the damage, and initiating the insurance claims process, contact your mortgage lender or landlord about the next steps.Â
Overwhelmed? California residents can find resources and a help hotline for filing a wildfire insurance claim here.
Do insurance policies cover wildfire damage?
Depending on your policy, where you live, and the coverage you’re paying for, your homeowners (or renters) insurance may or may not cover damage to your home or belongings caused by wildfire.Â
Typically, fire is a “covered peril” in most homeowners insurance policies, unless your policy specifically details an exclusion for wildfires or if you were dropped from or denied coverage.
In some areas prone to wildfires, home insurance policies come with a higher price tag or require a separate deductible for wildfire claims. If you live in a home deemed high-risk where you can’t obtain traditional home insurance, the FAIR (Fair Access to Insurance Requirements) plan may provide basic fire insurance.
How do I file a claim for wildfire damage?
It’s natural to feel overwhelmed when a natural disaster upends your life. Here’s what homeowners can do in the aftermath of a partial or total loss due to wildfire.
Step 1: Call your home insurance company
Once you’ve reached safety, start the claims process to receive an initial payment to cover your living expenses for several months. When planning for the long term, make sure to factor in your deductible.
Step 2: Inventory the damage
If you can, photograph and detail the damage to your home, vehicles and personal belongings. If you haven’t yet completed a home inventory for insurance purposes, work with a trusted friend or family member to detail and list appliances, furniture, electronics, decor and other equipment alongside brand name and estimated purchase price.
Step 3: Review your policy carefully
Review your home insurance or renters policy, its coverage limits and what benefits you’re entitled to for personal belonging reimbursement and living expenses. Insurance companies are required to provide this information to you upon request.Â
A typical homeowners insurance policy includes coverage for rebuilding or replacing the structure of your home and detached structures like garages, as well as coverage up to a certain limit for personal belongings inside the home. Most policies also offer liability protection and coverage for additional living expenses (ALE).
Step 4: Keep your receipts
Pay close attention to your ALE limits to cover hotel bills or rent, restaurant meals and other expenses you might incur while your home is being repaired or rebuilt. If your home is destroyed and needs to be rebuilt, you might be looking at a minimum of a year or more of additional living expenses.
Step 5: Look out for fraud
During a major disaster, it can be easy to get bogged down in rumors or fall for scams. Your neighbor’s insurance policy or company may be different, so work with your insurance company only, says Janet Ruiz, a California-based representative for the nonprofit Insurance Information Institute. Fraud is common. “Unlicensed contractors, unlicensed public adjusters often prey on those who have suffered a loss,” said Ruiz.Â
Step 6: Document everything
Start a claims folder where you can keep notes, recordings and details about every interaction you have with your insurance company, mortgage company and others. The claims process can be lengthy, and you may be required to secure multiple bids and work directly with contractors.
Step 7: Don’t accept an unfair offerÂ
Working with your claims adjuster is a negotiation process. If the first settlement offer doesn’t fully account for the cost of repairs or rebuilding, you can issue a demand letter seeking further payments that are more in line with your coverage limits and your home’s value.Â
“Often homeowners are on the defensive or don’t ask enough questions of the claim adjuster. If you don’t get answers, ask for a supervisor,” said Ruiz.Â
Step 8: Secure professional help if needed
If you’re unsure if you’re being treated fairly by your home insurance company, many states provide resources to help with the claims process. You can also seek out mediation or get a lawyer involved as a last resort to settle a disputed claim.
What if my insurer dropped my coverage before the wildfire?
Most states require insurers to notify homeowners of a policy cancellation months before the end date. Ruiz said if you’re denied coverage, it’s important to find a policy with another insurance company and that the California FAIR plan takes all insurable homes.
California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara issued a mandatory one-year moratorium on insurance nonrenewals and cancellations. Those within certain ZIP codes affected by the Southern California fires cannot have their homeowners policies canceled for one year, regardless of whether they suffered a loss.
If the fire was part of a federally declared disaster, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will provide some support for insured and uninsured homeowners alike. California homeowners and others impacted by the Los Angeles fires can file for FEMA assistance here.
Do I have to pay my mortgage after wildfire destruction?Â
Even if your home is a total loss or deemed uninhabitable, you’re still on the hook for the remainder of your mortgage. Contact your lender immediately to see if you qualify for forbearance or payment deferment while your claim is being processed.Â
Some lenders may be willing to defer payments for three months up to a year pending an insurance payout. This is critical to protect your credit score, as late or missing mortgage payments would otherwise be reported as delinquent and impact your credit rating.
How can I protect my home from future wildfires?
As wildfires become more prevalent in every part of the country, many people are taking steps to protect their homes. Some states, such as California, have federal, state and local programs to assist homeowners in mitigating fire risk by retrofitting and hardening their property to defend against wildfires.Â
Home insurance companies may also offer incentives for taking certain measures, such as installing sprinklers, creating a defensible perimeter on your property and upgrading your home with fire-resistant materials.
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