User Profile - United Policyholders

Don A. Lesser, Esq.

Don A. Lesser is the Managing Attorney of The Lesser Law Group in San Francisco and the North Bay. He has been an insurance coverage lawyer since 1983 and represents individuals and businesses in obtaining recoveries under a wide range of property and liability insurance policies. He represents clients in pre-litigation claim disputes as well as in coverage and bad faith litigation in federal and state courts throughout California. Don’s practice includes property insurance claims resulting from fire, water and other property damage as well as the problems associated with being under-insured for large losses. For business policyholders the firm handles claims for business interruption, cyber-related losses and other commercial claims. Before starting his own policyholder firm in 1999 Don was a partner at a large San Francisco firm where he represented insurers, gaining an intimate familiarity with how carriers’ claims staff analyze and handle claims and make coverage decisions.

Community Activities

Insurance check cashed by bank

Hello, I am writing about an old issue that happened with my mother who has since passed away regarding Wells Fargo cashing an insurance check on our family home that burned down from arson. The check was $450k+ and the insurance company sent the check…

Don A. Lesser, Esq. answered 2 years ago • Mortgage Issues • California

564 views1 answers

ALE rules in CA for partial loss

Hi, We’ve lost use of our home due to lack of electricity after a tree damaged our house and severed the electrical connection. Our insurer is covering our hotel stay, but then only repaying for “incurred costs” making us nearly go broke. No hotel here…

Don A. Lesser, Esq. answered 2 years ago • Additional Living Expenses (ALE) • California

546 views1 answers

What constitutes a second story?

I have a one-story ranch house. In 1977 the previous owners enclosed and finished a covered exterior patio space and made it part of the home. There is a less than 3-inch step up from the enclosed area to the main floor of the house.…

Don A. Lesser, Esq. answered 2 years ago • Coverage Question • California

756 views1 answers

Insurance Company more than doubled my policy and refuses to pay any more.

I lost my nearly 5000 ft² house in the Paradise Campfire Due to an error by insurance company I was only insured for 1500 ft² It took me 3 years to get them to pay of my entire policy at only 1500 ft². My contents…

Don A. Lesser, Esq. answered 2 years ago • Coverage Question • California

753 views3 answers

ALE after the 2 year mark– when none has been used due to Bldg Dept delay in permits

I had a partial loss as a result of the CZU Fire and my home has structural damages to the roof and exterior walls. However, the building department has stalled/ delayed permits, and I have continued to live in my house with only temporary mitigation…

United Policyholders answered 2 years ago • Coverage Question • California

671 views2 answers

How to define “continuous” water leak

We had a pin hole leak in our hot water pipe in our crawlspace. We noticed a tiny speck of mold on our furnace cabinet, discovered the leak under the house, immediately turned off the water and repaired the pipe. Our claim was denied as…

Don A. Lesser, Esq. answered 3 years ago • Claim Denial • California

2102 views1 answers

Who to send certified letter to prevent loss of rights

Water damage loss with Safeco Insurance. All (VERY minimal) communication with adjuster/claim rep has been email. I have literally not received anything specific to my claim in writing from them, and I’m unsure where they are located. We’re coming up on the one-year date of…

Don A. Lesser, Esq. answered 3 years ago • Damage or Rebuild Estimates • California

638 views1 answers

Can I receive insurance money that exceeds my policy limits?

Good Day, I lost my home in the Glass Fire in September of 2020. As you know, that is when the real estate market went crazy, the supply chain tightened, and commodity prices went through the roof. Is it possible to receive payments that exceed…

Don A. Lesser, Esq. answered 3 years ago • Coverage Question • California

749 views1 answers

My house insurance coverage

Hi Amy, First of all thank you, Karen, and many others from United Policyholders coming over to Santa Rosa CA. I have learned a lot about insurance. I have a question and would like to get some help on it. As I understand that a…

Don A. Lesser, Esq. answered 4 years ago • Underinsurance • California

683 views1 answers

Sonoma County wildfire policy limits on replacement

Is there any recourse when policy limits are below the replacement cost of the home? Farmers Insurance is offering to pay the maximum on the policy limits, but it is still below the appraised value for the dwelling. Definitely under insured. They used a module…

Don A. Lesser, Esq. answered 4 years ago • Underinsurance • California

674 views1 answers

Verification that carpet and pad plus upholstered furniture needs to be replaced

Who do we need to support our feeling that we need to replace the carpet, pad, and soft furniture?

Don A. Lesser, Esq. answered 4 years ago • Contents inventory, Dwelling Partial loss, Remediation • California

5312 views1 answers