o A Guide to Your Homeowners Policy o If you work with a broker for your home or business, reach out to that person and ask them to help you understand your policy. o Get everything in writing with your agent and insurance company. Follow up on any oral conversation with an email stating what was discussed. o Go to Zillow or Redfin NOW and screenshot the worth of your house. o Agree on finding housing quickly and contact the insurance company to request assistance with rental payments. • Utilize resources from the CA Department of Insurance. Resources to Help Recent Wildfire Victims The California Department of Insurance regulates insurance companies and has compiled assistance and information for the LA wildfire events. The Department can often provide additional state financial resources for consumers. The California Department of Insurance (CDI) offers one-on-one consultations with experts for people affected by wildfires in Los Angeles. You can schedule an appointment by calling the CDI hotline at (800) 927-4357. Walk-ins are also welcome, but will be served on a first- come, first-served basis. • Keep track of all your expenses and document everything. Make detailed notes of damaged items and property and gather photos/videos of any visible damage or losses. Keep a written record of everything and take diligent notes during any meetings. • Top 10 Tips for Wildfire Claimants (California Department of Insurance) • Post-Disaster Claims Guide (National Association of Insurance Commissioners) • Pictures are worth a thousand words. o Pre-loss photos of your home and personal property are often your best source for documenting important details of your losses. Ask friends, family, and co-workers to share any pictures they may have from social events, meetings, or holiday gatherings at your home. o Post-loss photos of damaged and destroyed property are also extremely important. Take lots of pictures before and during clean-up or debris removal. o Get online receipts of recent home or personal purchases and add them to your receipt folder in your inbox. • Be aware of whether your homeowner's policy is an Actual Cash Value or Replacement Cost policy. You might come across both ACV and replacement cost coverage in your insurance policy, depending on what’s being covered. Your house is typically covered on a replacement cost
Venbrook Insurance Services | CA License 0D80832
Next Steps: Where to Start After a Fire
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