As deadly wildfires engulf swaths ... claims to recoup losses and rebuild or repair their homes. For those looking to be treated fairly and paid for damage and destruction to their property, speaking up and doing advance research is crucial, experts and consumer advocates say. · The good news? Unlike with flooding, a standard homeowners' policy covers destruction and damage caused by fire, including ...
As deadly wildfires engulf swaths of Los Angeles County, forcing nearly 200,000 people from their houses, a still-to-be known number of residents will be contending with insurance claims to recoup losses and rebuild or repair their homes. For those looking to be treated fairly and paid for damage and destruction to their property, speaking up and doing advance research is crucial, experts and consumer advocates say. · The good news? Unlike with flooding, a standard homeowners' policy covers destruction and damage caused by fire, including wildfires, and a standard renters' insurance policy covers the renter's personal belongings, according to the Insurance Information Institute.Triple-I advises the following steps to begin filing a claim: · Contact your insurance carrier or agent as soon as possible to begin the claim-filing process, and make sure to ask about requirements and deadlines.Fires that damage but don't completely destroy one's home create their own insurance claim issues, according to United Policyholders. Things to watch out for include hidden damage from water, smoke, ash and mold. Air quality and ducts should also be considered. "Repairs should return your property to a 'uniform and consistent appearance' even if that means replacing undamaged items such as roof tiles or carpeting," it stated.Keep your claim open for at least six months and file supplemental claims if necessary, as damaged plants may not die right away. Coverage for landscaping replacement is typically a set amount or percentage of your dwelling coverage. The losses are frequently only partially covered. "Mature trees can be valued as high as $5,000 yet many policies contact a $500 per tree limit."