2020 Colorado Wildfires – Insurance and Recovery Help
GRANTS AND LOANS AVAILABLE TO COLORADO WILDFIRE VICTIMS. Governor Polis has signed a bill to provide financial relief to wildfire survivors. The Disaster Resilience Rebuilding Program (DRR) aims to help close gaps from other funds offered for the rebuilding of owner-occupied homes affected by natural disasters across the state. Applicants may apply for grants and loans up to $50,000 depending on different qualifying factors. DRR hopes to support rebuilding safer, energy efficient structures that can better withstand any future natural disasters. The program will provide funds for fire resistant building materials to better protect communities in the future. |
The Cameron Peak, Calwood, Lefthand Canyon, and East Troublesome Fires have affected many Colorado residents. Through our Roadmap to Recovery program you can access free, trustworthy help navigating the process of returning to a wildfire damaged area, repairing and replacing damaged and destroyed property, and collecting all available insurance funds.
If your property is damaged or destroyed, our guidance will help you get started on the road to recovery, make good decisions and keep moving forward. United Policyholders is non-profit and has expertise based on nearly three decades of assisting in communities hit by wildfires. Our staff, disaster veteran and professional volunteers and our partnerships with public, private and non-profit partners will help lighten your load. We’re rooting for you and here to help. No strings attached.
We encourage you to take advantage of wildfire recovery help that is available through the Colorado Division of Insurance. They have issued comprehensive guidance for those impacted by the fires – click here to access those resources. We will post relevant Bulletins from the Colorado Division of Insurance at the bottom of this page.
The following are selected items from the extensive library of resources we offer. Through our Roadmap to Recovery program you can access tips, tools and the straight scoop on insurance, clean up, contractors, lawyers, adjusters, avoiding ripoffs and mistakes, your legal rights and emotional support from people who genuinely care about helping you navigate successfully.
New Bulletin B-5.42 Concerning Extension of Policyholder Benefits in the Event of a Catastrophic Disaster, issued by the Colorado Division of Regulatory Agencies. This bulletin asks insurers to consider adverse circumstances beyond the insured’s control and extend policyholder benefits beyond those afforded in an individual policy.
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Eyes tired from reading? Watch our FIRST STEPS AFTER A WILDFIRE video here.
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Taking it in and Getting Started
FEATURED VIDEOS:
Resources GeneralResources Total LossResources Partial Loss -
Arranging Temporary Housing
TIP: If you lost your home in the wildfire, when you file your insurance claim, be sure to ask for a cash advance to help you get situated. Be sure to ask for it in writing (email counts).
Resources General -
Getting Organized, Informed and Empowered
Resources GeneralResources Partial Loss
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Getting Debris Removed
Resources General
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Being Proactive in Documenting and Valuing Your Losses
Partial Losses/Standing Homes:
If your home was spared but was exposed to extreme heat and smoke, we offer specialized guidance on partial loss insurance claim issues related to proper cleaning, inspecting for damage, restoring healthy indoor air quality and repairing obvious as well as hidden damage.
FEATURED VIDEOS:
Resources General- Insurance Recovery Tips for the Dwelling Part of Your Claim
- The Scoop on “Scope” (of loss)
- Guidelines For Reviewing Adjusters’ And Contractors’ Estimates
- Xactimate Demystified
- Building Code, Ordinance or Law Compliance
- Survivors Speak: Estimating Your Loss
- Mobile/Manufactured Home Insurance Claim Tips
- Sample Letters and Claim Documents
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Creating Your Home Inventory and Navigating Your Contents Claim
FEATURED VIDEOS:
Resources GeneralResources Partial Loss -
Making Housing and Financial Decisions
The Disaster Resilience Rebuilding Program (DRR) aims to help close gaps from other funds offered for the rebuilding of owner-occupied homes affected by natural disasters across the state. Applicants may apply for grants and loans up to $50,000 depending on different qualifying factors. DRR hopes to support rebuilding safer, energy efficient structures that can better withstand any future natural disasters. The program will provide funds for fire resistant building materials to better protect communities in the future. Please visit the Boulder County Recovery Navigators site and the Disaster Resilience Rebuilding site to find all of the details regarding qualifications, determining factors, applicable fund uses, and required information. The application and eligibility information will be available in August or early September 2022.
FEATURED VIDEOS:
Resources General- Underinsurance 101
- Survivors Speak: Coping With Underinsurance
- BUY or REBUILD? (California FAQs)
- Tax Information for Disaster Survivors
- Updating your home insurance after a loss...Staying protected without wasting money
- Dropped by Your Home/Condo Insurer? Information for Colorado Residents
- What to Do With Checks from Your Insurance Company
Resources Total Loss -
Choosing a Contractor
Resources GeneralResources Total Loss
- Working with Your Mortgage Company
- Getting help if/when you need it
- Taking Care of Yourself Along the Way
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Government Bulletins & Announcements
DORA – Division of Insurance Bulletins
- Equitable Payment of Claims Resulting from Natural Disasters
- Homeowners’ Right to Obtain Additional or Enhanced Coverages
- Notice of the Provisions Pertaining to the Payment of Claims for the Repair of Damaged Property
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Penalties for Failure to Promptly Address Property and Casualty First Party Claims (60-day requirement to pay or deny claim)
- Requirement to Issue Copy of Policy – CRS 10-4-110.8 (10)
- Bulletin B-5.42 Concerning Extension of Policyholder Benefits in the Event of a Catastrophic Disaster
Contact the Colorado DORA Division of Insurance with concerns and questions about insurance and the claims process. Call the Division at 800-930-3745 or email them at DORA_Insurance@state.co.us.
County-Specific Resources
Boulder County
2020 Cal-Wood and Lefthand Canyon Fires – Boulder County
Land Use Code – Boulder CountyGrand County
Office of Emergency Management | Grand County
Disaster Assistance Center | Grand County
Clean Up, Recovery, and Longer Term Assistance Guide | Grand County
Codes & Amendments | Grand County
Community Development | Grand CountyLarimer County
Recovery Resources for Residents Impacted by 2020 Larimer County Wildfires | Larimer County|
cameron_peak_fire_-_engineers_list.pdf (larimer.org)
Building Codes and Handouts | Larimer County
Larimer County Post-Fire Flooding Guide