2020 California Wildfires – Insurance Claim and Recovery Help
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. 2020 wildfires impacted homes and businesses in many regions throughout California, and our tips and support will be useful in all of them.
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.
DEBRIS FLOW ALERT: Wildfire-impacted areas are vulnerable to erosion, flooding and debris flow. Please check out guidance from your local government and UP’s tips on insurance considerations.
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. You’ll also find links below to recordings of Roadmap to Recovery workshops specifically aimed at 2020 wildfire impacted households.
Insurance Claim and Recovery Survey Please take a moment to complete our short Roadmap to Recovery Survey. Our goal is to track progress and problems. You may take the survey anonymously. The data collected helps us serve your community and informs our advocacy work. Thank you! |
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Taking it in and Getting Started
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. Because this is a “California declared disaster” you should get a cash advance of 25% of your contents limit and 4 months of your “Additional Living Expense” coverage. Be sure to ask for it in writing (email counts). Your adjuster may be from out of State, so if you get pushback – you can show them this Bulletin from the California Department of Insurance.
FEATURED VIDEOS:
Resources General- First Steps After a Wildfire
- Primeros Pasos Despues de un Incendio Forestal
- Top 10 Insurance Claim Tips
- Sample Letter Requesting Complete Copy of Homeowners Policy
- A Simplified Guide to Your Homeowners Policy
- Don't Pay Before You Plan
- Planificacion de indemniz aciones después de un desastre
- Insurance Lingo en Español
Resources Partial Loss - Arranging Temporary Housing
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Getting Organized
FEATURED VIDEOS:
Resources GeneralResources Partial Loss - Getting Debris Removed
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Being Pro-active in Documenting and Valuing Your Losses
FEATURED VIDEOS:
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
- Survivors Speak: Estimating Your Loss
- Sample Letters and Documents
- Mobile / Manufactured Home Insurance Claim Tips
- Consejos para reclamos de seguros para casas móviles / fabricadas (California)
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Creating Your Home Inventory and Navigating Your Contents Claim
FEATURED VIDEOS:
Resources GeneralResources Partial Loss -
Making Financial Decisions
FEATURED VIDEOS:
Resources GeneralResources 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