United Policyholders conducted a series of surveys following a group of late 2007 wildfires that occurred in and around San Diego County. Using online and printable survey forms and software that tallied up the results, UP and two partner organizations surveyed hundreds of individuals whose homes had been partially or totally destroyed. The first survey was conducted six months after the fires. The second survey was conducted one year after the fires, the third; two years.
24 MONTH SURVEY RESULTS
Our key findings include:
- 66% of respondents reported being underinsured.
- The average amount by which people reported being underinsured was $319,500.
- 47% of respondents either had not yet settled after two years or their settlement was not enough to rebuild their home.
- There was no definite pattern of when respondents settled, the process can take from 2 months to 2 years.
Questions regarding Buying instead of Rebuilding
- 22% of respondents are planning on buying or have bought a replacement home instead of rebuilding.
- 34% of respondents who have settled, but the amount was not enough to rebuild the home they lost, so they opted to buy not rebuild.
Most common insurance problems:
- 76% of respondents experienced “lowballing”.
- 43% experienced delays in responding to requests for information.
- 39% experienced use of bias experts.
Read the two-year survey results data here.
Read the results cross-tabbed by Insurance Company.
12 MONTH SURVEY RESULTS
Our key findings include:
- A total of 54% of people surveyed still had not settled the dwelling portion of their insurance claim as of one year after the fire, and 44% had still not settled the contents portion of their claim.
- 70% of all respondents said they were underinsured.
Read the one-year survey results data here.
Read the results cross-tabbed by Insurance Company.
6 MONTH SURVEY RESULTS
Read the complete press release here.
Our key findings include:
- 75% of respondents reported being underinsured on their dwelling
- The average amount by which people reported being underinsured was $240,000.
- Only 18% of respondents have complained to the California Department of Insurance.
- Less than 22% of respondents got the list of reimbursable expense items that insurers are required by California law to provide.
- Insurers have waived the requirement that every single destroyed item be itemized/inventoried for 25% of the respondents.
- Underinsurance is less of a problem on personal property and temporary living expenses than on dwelling coverage.
Read the six-month survey results data here.