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LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Thousands of residents from
Los Angeles County ordered to evacuate due to the Easy Fire, Tick Fire, Hill
Fire and Getty Fire may have homeowner or renter insurance coverage
to help with evacuation and relocation costs, even if their homes are not
damaged or destroyed, and in many cases no deductible is required.
“With thousands of Californians’ lives turned upside down
because of mandatory evacuations, additional living expense coverage in their
insurance policies can help ease the financial and emotional toll,” said
Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara. “Evacuees with renters and homeowners
insurance should contact their insurance agent or the Department of Insurance
for help with transportation, hotel, food or other costs due to the
evacuation.”
Many homeowners are unaware they may have insurance coverage
under their homeowner and renter policies to help them with evacuation and
recovery expenses under additional living expense coverage, known as
ALE. ALE coverage typically includes food and housing costs, furniture
rental, relocation and storage, and extra transportation expenses.
The department is urging evacuees to contact their insurer to
verify their ALE coverage provision, limits and learn about requirements to
use the coverage. It is critical to keep all receipts and document the date,
time and names of any insurance company employees you speak to regarding your
coverage and details of the conversation.
Here are some tips for consumers:
Keep all receipts accrued during the
evacuation.Policy provisions, including deductibles,
vary by company, residents should check with their insurer or agent as soon
as possible to confirm coverage, limits, and any other limitations and
documentation requirements. Most renters’ policies also typically include ALE
coverage.Consumer should make sure any insurance agent
or public adjuster offering their services has a valid license by checking
online with the Department of Insurance.
Public adjusters cannot solicit business for
seven calendar days after the disaster.Don’t forget copies of insurance policies,
important papers and a photo or video inventory of your possessions. An
inventory can be completed quickly and easily on your smart phone and safely
stored in the Cloud.
Media Notes:
Department staff are joining other agencies
at the Tick Fire Local Assistance Center in Santa Clarita today through
Monday. Affected residents are urged to visit the center at 20880 Centre
Pointe Parkway, Santa Clarita, CA 91350 open from 10am to 7pm.Additional resources and
information for consumers on wildfires are
available from the California Department of Insurance. Download a free home inventory guide from
the department Web site, or receive a hardcopy by calling the California
Department of Insurance Consumer Hotline at 800-927-HELP (4357). If you have any questions or need
assistance, the California Department of Insurance is here to help. Please
call: 1-800-927-4357 or visit www.insurance.ca.gov.
Additional contact information:Federal Emergency Management Agency:
1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or www.fema.gov Contractors State License Board:
1-800-321-CSLB (2752) or www.cslb.ca.gov National Insurance Crime Bureau
1-888-815-9064 or www.nicb.org
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