These homes in Altadena were destroyed by Eaton fire.
Heartbreaking and Breathtaking
The devastation requires silent respect and a respirator to breathe on location at the Eaton fire locations.
Home After Home GONE
So many homes, blocks, and neighborhoods impacted by the Eaton fire in Altadena.
common concerns of HOMEOWNERS AFTER A FIRE LOSS
Delayed Insurance Proceeds
Claim Denials or Policy Exclusions
Delayed Insurance Proceeds
Insurance companies may take weeks or months to process claims, leaving homeowners without financial support for temporary housing, rebuilding, or replacing lost items.
Delays can be caused by excessive paperwork requirements, slow inspections, or company tactics to minimize payouts.
Lowball Settlement Offers
Claim Denials or Policy Exclusions
Delayed Insurance Proceeds
Insurance companies often offer less than what is needed to rebuild or replace lost belongings.
They may undervalue personal property or apply depreciation instead of covering replacement costs.
Claim Denials or Policy Exclusions
Claim Denials or Policy Exclusions
Additional Living Expenses (ALE) Disputes
Insurers may deny claims by citing policy exclusions, such as:
Alleged failure to maintain the home (e.g., faulty wiring, roof damage)
Suspicion of arson or fraud
Disputes over what the policy covers (e.g., smoke damage vs. fire damage)
Some policies exclude wildfires or require additional coverage.
Additional Living Expenses (ALE) Disputes
Inventory Requirements for Personal Property Losses
Additional Living Expenses (ALE) Disputes
ALE coverage pays for temporary housing, meals, and extra costs incurred while displaced.
Insurers often limit the time frame for these benefits or refuse to pay for certain expenses (e.g., hotels over a specific price range).
Underpayment for Rebuilding Costs
Inventory Requirements for Personal Property Losses
Inventory Requirements for Personal Property Losses
Construction costs after a disaster often increase due to high demand for labor and materials.
Insurers may use outdated cost estimates that don’t reflect the current market, forcing homeowners to pay out of pocket.
Inventory Requirements for Personal Property Losses
Inventory Requirements for Personal Property Losses
Inventory Requirements for Personal Property Losses
Homeowners must list every lost item (furniture, clothing, electronics, appliances, etc.), including purchase dates and values.
Insurers may reject claims for missing documentation, even when the homeowner lost everything in the fire.
Additional Concerns
Policy Limits That Don't Cover Full Losses
Fire Damage vs. Smoke and Water Damage Disputes
Policy Limits That Don't Cover Full Losses
Many homeowners discover their policy limits are too low to fully rebuild.
Insurers may only cover a portion of losses due to co-insurance clauses or outdated coverage amounts.
Delays in Inspections and Adjuster Reports
Fire Damage vs. Smoke and Water Damage Disputes
Policy Limits That Don't Cover Full Losses
Insurance companies require adjusters to inspect the damage before approving a claim.
High claim volume after large fires can lead to long wait times for inspections.
Public adjusters may be needed to challenge biased insurance assessments.
Fire Damage vs. Smoke and Water Damage Disputes
Fire Damage vs. Smoke and Water Damage Disputes
Fire Damage vs. Smoke and Water Damage Disputes
Insurers may cover direct fire damage but deny claims for smoke, soot, or water damage from firefighting efforts.
Homeowners often must fight for full coverage, even if their home is unlivable due to residual damage.
Non-Renewal or Policy Cancellation
Non-Renewal or Policy Cancellation
Fire Damage vs. Smoke and Water Damage Disputes
After filing a fire claim, some homeowners face policy cancellation or non-renewal when their policy expires.
Some insurance companies refuse to renew policies in high-risk wildfire areas, making it harder to find coverage..
Mortgage Lender Issues
Non-Renewal or Policy Cancellation
Emotional or Financial Stress
If the mortgage lender is listed on the insurance policy, they may receive claim checks first, delaying access to funds.
Lenders may require proof of rebuilding or debt payment before releasing funds.
Emotional or Financial Stress
Non-Renewal or Policy Cancellation
Emotional or Financial Stress
Filing a claim is time-consuming and emotionally draining, especially when insurers dispute payouts.
Many homeowners face financial hardship due to delays, out-of-pocket costs, or insurance shortfalls.