Claim Guidance Library

Taking it in and Getting Started

• Top 10 Insurance Claim Tips
• Speak UP: How to communicate with your insurance company
• Sample Letter Requesting Complete Copy of Homeowners Policy
• Survivors Speak: Forced Choice Matrix for Decision-making
• Avoiding Frauds and Scams After a Disaster
• What’s UP With Home Insurance Deductibles?
• FEMA and SBA 2024 Updates Overview

Expand Hide

Arranging Temporary Housing

• Sample Letter Requesting Information About Insurance Benefits for Temporary Living Expenses (“ALE” or “Loss of Use”)

Expand Hide

Getting Organized

• Organizing Carrier-Specific Disaster Survivor Groups
• General Claim Tips
• Insurance Accounting Spreadsheet
• FAQ’s about Property Damage Insurance Claims
• FAQs about Home Insurance Claims in California
• Sample Letters and Claim Documents
• What to Do With Checks from Your Insurance Company

Expand Hide

Getting Debris Removed

• What’s UP with Trees, Shrubs, and Landscaping Insurance Coverage?

Expand Hide

Being Proactive in Documenting and Valuing Your Losses

• The Scoop on “Scope” (of loss)
• Xactimate Demystified
• Insurance Recovery Tips for the Dwelling Part of Your Claim
• Reimbursement for Claim Preparation Expenses
• Sample Letter for Requesting Copies of Claim-Related Documents
• Buy or Rebuild? FAQs on replacing a dwelling after a total loss
• Sample Letter Requesting Inspection, Scoping and Remediation Plan for Wildfire Damaged Structure
• Sample Letter Requesting Re-inspection and Re-testing of a Partially-Damaged Home
• Insurance Coverage for Damaged or Destroyed Septic Systems
• What’s UP with Trees, Shrubs, and Landscaping Insurance Coverage?

Expand Hide

Creating Your Home Inventory and Navigating Your Contents Claim

• 10 tips for settling a contents (personal property) claim
• Depreciation Basics
• Survivors Speak: Strategies for preparing your home inventory

Expand Hide

Making Financial Decisions

• Updating your home insurance after a loss…Staying protected without wasting money
• Tax Tips for Disaster Survivors
• Underinsurance 101
• Tax Information for Disaster Survivors
• What to Do With Checks from Your Insurance Company

Expand Hide

Working with Your Mortgage Company

• Sample Letter Requesting Mortgage Company Release Insurance Proceeds
• Sample Letters and Claim Documents

Expand Hide

Getting Help If/When You Need It

• A Policyholders Guide to Mediation
• Examinations Under Oath – “EUO”
• Getting Help From the CA. Dept. of Insurance
• Hiring an Attorney for an Insurance Claim
• Insurance Appraisal Simplified
• Making the Best Choice When Hiring a Public Adjuster
• Hiring Professional Help for an Insurance Claim
• What To Expect When You’re Suing An Insurance Company

Expand Hide

Overcoming Obstacles

• Policyholders Can Win in Appraisal
• Sample Letter Requesting Claim Payment History
• Sample Letter Requesting Information About Claim Denial
• Using social media to be the squeaky wheel
• Belly UP: Navigating a claim when your insurer becomes “insolvent”
• Sample Letter to Collect Policy Benefits for Building Code Upgrades (non-CA)
• Sample Letter Requesting Retroactive Increase of Your Dwelling Limit

Expand Hide

Taking Care of Yourself Along the Way

• “Survivors Speak” Tip Series

Expand Hide