Help with wildfire damage insurance claims in California

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Fire Insurance Claim Help from a Proven Public Adjuster: National Adjusters

A wildfire insurance claim can be the most complex and involved type of property loss to navigate. While following the lead of the claim adjuster from your insurance company may seem like the path of least resistance, doing so will often lead to settlement delays, a grossly under-adjusted settlement and limited options for rebuilding and restoring your property and possessions.
Our California public adjusters at National Adjusters knows exactly how to navigate the wildfire insurance claim process to a fast and accurate settlement. Rather than allowing the insurance company to dictate the claim process our proactive and aggressive approach allows YOU to control the pace and settlement of the claim. This means our clients are fully compensated in the most efficient way.

Wildfire Insurance Claim Tips
Insurance companies commonly use tactics to delay settlements and/or further investigate, substantiate or deny a fire insurance claim. Here are tips to ensure your claim progresses properly:

• Request a certified copy of your insurance policy and copy of the fire report ASAP.

• Compile your own detailed personal property inventory.

• Control ALL of your personal property. Never allow any restoration company to remove your property for disposal or restoration until you know all your rights and options.

• Obtain independent damage estimates to gauge the actual cost to rebuild your property.

• Document every point of communication with your insurance company adjuster.

• Wait – Never start the rebuild process until you know ALL your rights and options for settlement.

• Caution– Use caution when submitting any information or documents to the insurance adjuster. You could waive your rights or jeopardize your claim.

• Demand an explanation if your claim has not settled within 60 days.

• Seek to uncover all benefits your policy affords, or consult with a public adjuster. In many total-loss scenarios, a potential 35 percent in extra coverage above the policy limit may be available.

1. Ask for an advance against your ultimate fire insurance claim.

If you were forced to evacuate due to the dangerous conditions, you may not have grabbed essentials like toiletries or clothes. Some of these things may have even been completely lost in the fire. Don't panic. Call your insurance company and ask that someone bring a check to wherever you're staying. That way you can purchase necessities without having to wait for your ultimate insurance coverage.

Take care of your needs, but don't go overboard. Be practical with what you buy because the insurance company will refuse to reimburse you for frivolous things. For example, if you need a pair of slacks and a dress shirt for work, don't assume you can head to the most expensive clothing store in town.

Remember, this advance will be deducted from the total amount you receive from the insurance company, so don't hurt yourself by going overboard.

2. Make a list of everything you've lost and don't throw anything away.

You'll want to make a list of everything you lost in the fire, which can take some time and reflection from everyone in your household. You want to be sure to start making this list as soon as possible so that you're able to remember to include everything lost by the time you file your fire insurance claim.

Be sure not to throw anything away. It'll be easier to prove that you really lost the items on your list if you hold on to them for the insurance adjuster to see the damage. If you throw them away, the insurance company may refuse to compensate you.

3. File your claim right away and press the insurance company to act ASAP.

Insurance policies require policyholders to file their fire insurance claims as soon as possible, so call your homeowners' insurance agent immediately to get the process started. The insurance company will require you to submit a "proof of loss claim," which is where you list all of the items you lost, including their value. Your prompt action is especially important if there were many other homeowners affected by the fire. If you don't act immediately, you could fall to the bottom of the list of policyholders who have fire insurance claims, and it could be a long time before the adjuster reaches you. The following is a list of information to include in your claim:

1. Date of loss
2. Type of loss/damage
3. Location of damage
4. Any related injuries
5. Others involved
6. Condition of the home
7. Description of damaged contents
8. Any necessary temporary repairs
9. A police report

Dealing with the insurance company is a very convoluted process involving countless calls, emails, letters, and documents. Be sure to keep track of all of the documents and communication, including post office receipts of mailing. Take notes, including the date and time, of every phone conversation and face to face meeting. Putting everything in a binder or file organizer will allow you to organize the different types of correspondence, invoices, bills, permits, contracts for repairs, and insurance forms into their own separate section.

Remember to always keep original documents of everything. If your insurance company wants proof of a document, make them a copy but keep the original. The more organized you are, the better prepared you'll be should your insurance company start playing the "he said, she said" game with you.

Since you're acting promptly to fulfill your responsibilities of the policy, your insurance company should also be prompt in acting on your fire insurance claim. In fact, the law requires insurance companies to handle claims in a timely manner, and most states give insurance companies specific timelines.

For example, California laws and regulations requires insurance companies to send out a "notice of intentions" within 30 days of receiving a fire insurance claim. If there are no issues or disputes with your fire insurance claim, they must send you payment within that time as well. If your insurance company is taking too long to get back to you, write them and let them know that you're sending a copy of the letter to the state's Department of Insurance. This should prompt the company to act, as they will not want to make a mistake or drag their feet if they know they are being monitored.

4. Secure your property to mitigate damage.

The insurance company will require you to take reasonable care of your property. Therefore, be sure that you secure your property from further damage. If something is a total loss, of course, this is unnecessary. However, where only one section of your home is damaged, be sure to take proactive measures in preventing further damage. Insurance companies call this "mitigating damage," which just means reducing the amount of damage. Ways to mitigate damages include:

• Covering holes in the walls and roof to protect from the elements
• Boarding up or building a fence to prevent looters
• Smoldering all embers
• Moving property that's at risk of further damage (for example, moving the unharmed television out from underneath the hole in the ceiling).

5. Keep track of your living expenses.

Your insurance policy includes a clause called "loss of use," which means the insurance company reimburses you for your living expenses while you're displaced from your damaged home. Note, however, that you're only entitled to the difference between what it costs you while displaced and what it was costing you in your home. For example, if your monthly living expenses are $4,000 per month, but now you're having to add hotel stays, restaurant meals, laundry expenses, and extra gas for your car, totaling an additional $1,000, your insurance company will only reimburse you the extra $1,000 per month.

Many people decide to stay with family members or friends instead of at a hotel. Sometimes the insurance company will reimburse your hosts for the additional costs of your stay, so ask your host to itemize the additional costs. Take extra care to be reasonable and not frivolous, and be patient with your insurance company should they want to negotiate with you for this cost. Politely remind the company that you're saving the company a great amount of money in hotel and restaurant expenses by staying with loved ones.

6. Get the right repair estimates and keep receipts and documentation for everything.

Filing fire insurance claims enables you to repair or even rebuild your damaged home. "Actual cash value" policies entitle you to the amount it would take to return your home, including its contents, to its pre-fire fair market value.

"Replacement" policies entitle you to the amount it would take to replace the home and its contents, regardless of the value of what you lost. "Replacement" coverage doesn't require you to actually rebuild your home on the exact same lot. You can choose where you want to rebuild. So, as long as it's the same value as your old lot, your insurance covers it. Of course, if you move to where property is more expensive, you'll end up paying the difference. If you decide not to rebuild, but to invest the money in something completely unrelated, like a business or college fund, the "replacement" policy will become an "actual cash value" policy, providing you with about 15% less.

The insurance company will require an estimate of the fair market value or cost of replacement of damaged property before the fire. Insurance companies will send out their own adjusters, so it's important to remember that they'll make decisions in the insurance company's best interest, not yours. You don't have to accept the numbers that they throw at you, and it may be a good idea to hire your own independent estimator or contractor.

The estimator or contractor you hire is paid by you and therefore will look out for your best interest. Don't accept any amount from the insurance company unless you're certain it's what a buyer would have paid for your home and its contents just before the fire.

Be sure to be picky when choosing a contractor. Choose one who is not only good and experienced in building, but also is experienced in how insurance companies handle issues. Before you agree to commence any work, be sure that you and the insurance company agree on the scope of the work to be done.

7. Keep paying your insurance premiums.

Many people make the error of discontinuing their insurance premiums once they've filed fire insurance claims. This is a huge mistake. Your homeowners' insurance includes liability protection for your home, including pets. So, if Spot, upset by the disaster and sad demeanor of the household, chews up your expensive sofa, you're covered. However, if you stop paying your premiums, the destruction from Spot's puppy aggression won't be covered.

Also, remember to give your insurance agent the address of where you're staying and have that added to your liability coverage. To reduce your premiums, you can also ask that the section of the policy that covers the structure of your home be cut back, in the case that your home was a total loss. Just be sure to adjust this after your new home is built.

8. It's not over until you say so.

Even if the claim is a total loss, you may be entitled to a lot more than your policy limits in California, you are owed the cost to rebuild the structure to what it was, HIRE A PUBLIC ADJUSTER. Insurance companies are quick to close fire insurance claims, especially in mass disaster situations. The longer your claim is open, the greater chance you'll discover something you overlooked previously. In such a stressful and confusing time, it's likely you may forget to list an item of value in your initial insurance claim. Protect yourself by waiting a few months before consenting to closing your claim. You do have this power.

Insurance companies will try and slide in closure of a claim by adding a note to your check. For example, the check may say something like "acceptance of this payment will close your claim." You don't have to accept this. Cross out the language, sign or initial next to it, and send them a letter thanking them for the payment, but asserting that you don't consider the claim closed.

9. Consider hiring a public adjuster.

Hiring a public adjuster who will negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. Some people fear doing this because of the extra cost--you pay the public adjuster upwards of 20 percent of what the insurance company ultimately pays you, the larger the loss the smaller the percentage, on a total loss it is around 10%. This can be worth it, though, when the adjuster succeeds in getting you significantly more than you would have otherwise received.

10. Don't worry about losing your insurance coverage.

Too familiar with automobile insurance companies raising premiums or completely dropping drivers, many people fear that filing fire insurance claims will cause their homeowners' insurance company to do the same. This is not the case. As long as you file only legitimate claims after real disasters, you're not a "habitual claimant," and there's no evidence of fraud on your part, your premium will not increase and you will not lose your coverage.

Get Professional Legal Help After Filing a Fire Insurance Claim

If you need to report a fire in your home for insurance purposes, make sure you do so right away. The process may take a while to play out, and you may have to file multiple documents and answer questions from claims adjusters and investigators. If for any reason you believe you're not getting fairly compensated, you may want to contact a local real estate attorney for help.

Take Charge of the Fire Insurance Claim Process
In nearly all the fire claims we’ve worked, there has been a large difference between what the insurance company’s claim adjuster OFFERS and what should be paid contractually pay per the policy’s provisions and a comprehensive estimation of damages. Choices and decisions about your home, possessions and the fire insurance claim process should be made by you, not the claim adjuster from your insurance company. And, our assistance assures that.
National Adjusters are experts in understanding and analyzing insurance policies, compiling detailed damage estimates and negotiating the largest possible fire claim settlement, all while you focus on restoring your life. With decades of fire and smoke damage claims experience, we have witnessed – and can help you avoid – common mistakes that result in major complications, delays, disputes, or negligent misappropriation of insurance coverage.

California Wildfire Insurance Claims – All of California

When to Seek Help with Your Fire Claim

While all claimants can benefit from a California public adjuster’s help during the fire insurance claim process, you absolutely need to consult with a trusted and experienced claim adjuster if you’ve received a:

• Reservation of Rights letter

• Demand to participate in an Examination Under Oath (EUO)

• Proof of Loss form to fill out or sign.

• Letter stating that your fire claim has been ruled suspicious or is under investigation

• Fire damage insurance claim assessments can be tricky. Damage to your most important life investment, your home or business are not always apparent or visible. Great care should be taken to inspect all aspects of a fire and the smoke and water damage caused as a result of the fire.

 

Reasons To Choose The Best California WildFire Claim Adjuster To Handle Your Fire Insurance Claim

One call to a 5 Star rated California Public Adjuster, National Adjusters (800-616-4027) will change the stress you feel due to the fire damage event. We work fast to get on your scene, assess the damages and begin the process of an equitable and proper recovery immediately. We all know the saying “the devil is in the details”; well your insurance company is in the business of running past the details which lead you to a more equitable recovery . As a top rated California Public Adjuster National Adjusters has a cadre of tools and event experience to assemble a detailed recovery which will lead to a satisfactory recovery of your home and property. Your home and or business are your most valuable possessions and typically the largest investment. National Adjusters  will see to it that you restore your home or business back to the proper condition and minimize the haggling and stress your insurance company will impose on you when filing a fire damage insurance claim. Contact National Adjusters today 800-616-4027 to start the process of a proper equitable recovery to your fire damage claim. Get the maximum settlement from your insurance claim.

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