In CA, regarding ALE, is this limited to a Total Loss, or does this apply to Partial Loss? Kimberley Wren asked 2 years ago
In CA, regarding ALE, is this limited to a Total Loss, or does this apply to Partial Loss?

Hi,

In CA, regarding ALE, is this limited to a Total Loss, or does this apply to Partial Loss?

“An increasing number of states are asking insurance companies to voluntarily advance a portion of what they owe you on your claim so you have cash to work with in the aftermath of your loss. We hope your insurer offers you advances. If you live in California, your insurance company is now legally required to issue you a check for 25% of your contents limits and four months of your “Additional Living Expense” coverage without requiring receipts or an itemized inventory.”

I have still not received reimbursement after 3 weeks. We have a Partial Loss, and home is uninhabitable.

1 Answers
Answer for In CA, regarding ALE, is this limited to a Total Loss, or does this apply to Partial Loss? United Policyholders Staff answered 2 years ago
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Hi Kim,

Sorry to hear that you haven’t received payment for your ALE costs. Unfortunately the language you quoted only applies to total loss of a primary residence after a declared state of emergency in California, for claims after January 1, 2021 (see https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/insurance-code/ins-sect-2061/). You can ask for a list of items that are typically reimbursable under ALE, and we have a sample letter that you can use for that (Sample Letter Requesting Information About Insurance Benefits for Temporary Living Expenses (“ALE” or “Loss of Use”)

You can read our publication, Speak UP: How to communicate with your insurance company if you’d like to try going up the chain of command in your insurance company to get a response.

You can also try contacting the California Department of Insurance if you feel your insurance company hasn’t been adhering to what is in your policy. Good luck!