9. It is important to understand the risk to your health and safety even after the fire is out. The soot and dirty water left behind could make you ill. Do not eat, drink, or breathe in anything that has been near the flames, smoke, soot, or water used to put the fire out. 10. Be very careful if you touch any fire-damaged items and be sure to wash your hands afterward. Ask the advice of the fire department, local building officials, your insurance agent, and restoration specialists before starting to clean or make repairs.
Insurance Guidance • Contact your insurance company to start the claim process as soon as possible. Under California law, after an officially declared disaster, your insurer is required to give you an advance of no less than 30% of your “dwelling” insurance limit and at least four (4) months of your available coverage for temporary rent and other additional living expenses you incur due to having lost the use of your home. If you are insured through the CA Fair Plan, your coverage for temporary/additional living expenses is based on the Fair Rental Value of your dwelling. • Obtain a complete and current copy of your insurance policy and review it in detail Coverages typically available in your homeowners’ policy: o Coverage A – Dwelling: This is the amount of money you have to rebuild your home. o Coverage B – Other Structures: This is the amount of money you have to rebuild other structures if part of your policy. This could include money to rebuild a shed, pool, or fence. o Coverage C- Personal Property/Contents: This is the amount of money you have to replace all of the items that were in your home. o Coverage D – Loss of Use – Extra expenses: This is the amount of money you have to live outside of your home. For example, in the event of a total loss, your insurance company is responsible for paying out the total value of your policy for Coverages A, B, and C (Dwelling + Other Structures + Personal Property) minus your deductible. How does my mortgage factor in? If you have a mortgage, you technically do not own your home. Your insurance company will want to work with your bank to issue payment to the bank for the Coverage A & B (Dwelling + Other structure) funds in your policy. Depending on your bank, you will have to establish a milestone payment plan in which the bank will release funds to you (and your contractor) to repair your home.
Venbrook Insurance Services | CA License 0D80832
Next Steps: Where to Start After a Fire
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