How to File a Successful Insurance Claim After a California Wildfire 

Coming home to a house destroyed by a wildfire will not feel like coming home. The entire landscape is different, and even the familiar sight of neighboring homes is gone. When nothing looks right, it’s hard to know what to do next—and paperwork certainly doesn’t feel like a priority. But filing a successful insurance claim after a California wildfire is the best first step toward immediate shelter and returning back to real life. 

Depending on your homeowners insurance, filing an insurance claim can get you money for a hotel, jumpstart the reconstruction process, and give you resources to start recovering. Take a closer look at what insurance companies offer, how to file a strong claim and even start preparing for next season’s natural disasters.  

The Aftermath of California Wildfires: Protecting Your Home 

How can you protect your home and your family after a California wildfire has already struck? It all has to do with your insurance coverage. In California, standard policies cover damage and destruction from wildfire—this includes homeowners insurance policies, renters policies, and (provided you have comprehensive coverage) car insurance. 

Once you file a claim, home insurers will have to immediately pay out at least 30% of the value of your personal property dwelling limit and a value equal to four months rent in your area. This money gives you options and shelter. 

Initial Steps in Filing Your Insurance Claim 

If you’ve never filed an insurance claim before, the process can seem daunting. Break it down into these steps for a successful insurance claim after a California wildfire:  

1. Document the damage. As soon as you safely can, take photos and videos of the damage. Capture all the details you can of the interior, exterior, and yard. If you know your neighbors, take footage of what details you can see of their property in case they’re far away. 

2. File the claim. Move fast to start the claim process. Opening the claim means your agent or the insurance adjuster will reach your case faster. However, be careful about saying your claim is complete—you want to take time and make sure you’ve included all the details. 

3. Document your belongings. Write down all the belongings you lost in as much detail as you can. Search for videos or pictures of your home before the fire to help fill in your list. The more details you can provide, the more replacement funds you can get under the terms of your policy. 

4. Keep records of all the correspondence. Download emails and PDFs, and scan or photograph any paper documents you get. Save these files securely on the cloud so your records are with you at all times. 

Protecting Yourself from Common Pitfalls 

You’re in a high-stress emergency, and it’s easy to make a mistake when you’re navigating a complex system you’re not familiar with. Protect yourself by avoiding these mistakes:  

1. Not documenting enough: Record as much proof of damage as you can. Also, create detailed lists of all of your damaged or destroyed belongings. For example, write down the brand and style of each of your shirts, not just ‘T-shirt.’ Insurance companies assess the replacement cost of each item you list, and the details you provide will significantly impact the replacement cost.* 

2. Accepting a settlement offer too quickly: Unfortunately, not every insurance company or insurance agent is acting in your best interest. They might offer you a very low settlement because they want to save money or simply to take you off their task list. Make sure the settlement offer fully covers all of your losses first. Take the time to talk over the offer with a friend or a licensed professional, and never feel like you have to accept the offer immediately over the phone. 

3. Putting off the next step: Administrative details and email communications just don’t feel like a priority when you’re trying to recover after a wildfire. However, delaying your initial claim, not getting back to the adjuster, and not following up on your claim will cause even more delays. The insurance adjuster may even dispute parts of your claim and assume some of the damage came from other sources. 

4. Not knowing the details of your policy: Log into your account and read through your coverage details so you know what your insurance policy covers. This can help you navigate the process now and help you prepare for future California wildfire seasons. 

*Pro tip for a successful insurance claim after a California wildfire: Don’t just record big items. Note down toiletries, cosmetics, tools, and kitchenware—these items add up quickly. 

Legal Support When You Need It Most 

The California Department of Insurance has created resources to help Californians navigate the crisis. If your insurance provider isn’t giving you the support you need, or you’re worried about making a costly mistake, they offer different channels. 

You can start by reading up on their tips for residential insurance claims and the obligations California insurance companies have for giving you money immediately (and without tying it to your acceptance of a settlement!). You can also call their hotline or use their chat resources for more direct support. 

Protect What Matters Most—Review Your Home Insurance Today and Ensure You’re Prepared for California’s Wildfire Season 

Start planning for California’s next wildfire season. If you don’t think your current policy offers the protection you need with fair premiums, shop around for policies that fit your budget and give you more peace of mind about filing a successful insurance claim after a California wildfire.  

At Cost-U-Less, we make it easy to know what home insurance policies cover wildfire damage and what different policies cost. Contact us today at (800) 390-4071 or find a nearby office so you can ask more questions and get exactly the right cover. You can also get a fast quote online right now.