The situation in Southern California, and particularly around Los Angeles, is nothing short of devastating. While right now the biggest concern is immediate safety, soon people will be looking to rebuild and repair their homes and businesses. The destruction of thousands of structures means that insurers are estimating losses well into the billions of dollars. It’s already predicted to be the most expensive wildfire disaster in U.S. history.[1]
The Zebra is committed to our customers and to helping Americans with their insurance however we can. With the tragic wildfires spread across Los Angeles, we’ve gathered some information and advice.
If you have a policy with The Zebra, please feel free to call your licensed agent anytime with questions at 1-888-255-4364. And even if you don’t have a policy with us, please consider the steps below:
2. Document As Much As You Can
After a wildfire, the damage can be extensive, and documenting everything is vital for your claim. Insurance companies require proof of damage to process a claim, and the more thorough your documentation, the better. Claims are also commonly processed on a first-come, first-served basis, so the quicker you can pull together documentation, the more quickly your claim will be serviced.
- Photograph or video your home and property, including both the interior and exterior. Take pictures of destroyed belongings, charred walls, or structural damage.
- Make sure to also save or preserve recent photos of your home and property so you can easily show the quality and condition of items before the fire damage.
- Make a list of damaged or destroyed personal belongings, furniture, electronics and valuables. Wherever possible, provide receipts, serial numbers, or photos from before the fire as evidence of ownership. Remember, you can review old credit card statements, Amazon order history, or similar sources to gather this information.
As part of the documentation-gathering process, you may want to hire a professional to assess the structural integrity of your home. This could help prevent further damage during the claims process and provide you with an expert opinion for your insurer. However, this only applies in specific circumstances and may result in additional costs. Consult with your insurer first.
3. File Your Claim Quickly
Time is of the essence when filing a wildfire insurance claim. Many insurers have deadlines for submitting claims, and waiting too long may result in complications or denial. Most insurance companies will allow you to file a claim online via a mobile app or phone. Calling your insurer is always an option if you run into any issues with online submissions.
Keep a copy of all documents related to your claim, including the initial claim submission, correspondence with your insurer, and receipts for any temporary repairs or living expenses.
4. Know Your Rights and Protections
While the scope of the fires in Los Angeles right now is unprecedented, and while the full extent of the damages will take weeks and months to assess, we’re already seeing a reshaping of the California insurance market. It’s important to be aware of your rights and new laws protecting you as a California resident.
On January 9, the California Insurance Commissioner announced a mandatory one-year moratorium on insurance non-renewals and cancellations. This shields residents in specific ZIP codes affected by the fires from being dropped from their insurance coverage. The moratorium is in effect regardless of whether or not you personally suffered a loss. Residents can visit the California Department of Insurance website to see if their ZIP code is included in the protections.[2]
To further assist residents, the Insurance Commissioner is offering two-day insurance support workshops on January 18 - 19 in Santa Monica and January 25 - 26 in Pasadena. These workshops are open to all impacted by the wildfires.[3]
California is sending the Insurance Department’s enforcement team to crack down on fraudsters targeting wildfire survivors. It’s still a good idea to arm yourself with knowledge of common insurance scams and what to look out for.[4]
On a federal level, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has extended tax deadlines in Los Angeles County from April 15 to October 15.[5]
Explore Additional Resources
Fair Plan - Learn about California’s non-profit plan for offering fire coverage to homeowners unable to get insurance on the traditional insurance market.
Top 10 Tips for Wildfire Claimants - Strategies for making the claims process easier and info on who to call for help. This is also available in Spanish, Mandarin and Vietnamese.
Home Inventory Guide - Directions and worksheets for helping you create a detailed home inventory.
California Contractors State License Board – Learn how to find and select a licensed contractor to perform repairs.
Evacuation Checklist for Policyholders – As you’re preparing to evacuate, here are the steps to take to make things easier later.
California State Recovery Resources – Includes resources for wildfire survivors and hazardous waste removal.
FEMA – Federal resources for those affected by the wildfires and information on how to apply for assistance.
Wrapping up
If you’re in an affected area of California, our hearts go out to you. Your first priority is, of course, to keep yourself, your family, and your pets safe. However, when you are ready to focus on recovery and rebuilding and repairing your home and property, we hope you will find the above tips and resources helpful.
Insurance Survey
We're curious about what the overall response rate has been from insurance companies in regard to wildfire claims. If you are affected by the California wildfires and have the bandwidth to answer a short survey, we will compile and share the data here later.