Zoomerang Survey Results
2007 Wildfires Insurance Claim Status Survey
Response Status: Completes | Partials
Filter: No filter applied
Jun 03, 2008 3:13 PM PST
1. Was your dwelling damaged or destroyed as a result of the October wildfires in San Diego and San Bernardino counties?
Damaged		23	8%
Destroyed		251	92%
Total		274	100%
2. Did you have insurance on your dwelling?
Yes		272	99%
No		2	1%
Total		274	100%
3. What was the total square footage of living space in your dwelling? What was the Coverage A (Dwelling) limit stated on your policy "declarations" page?
198 Responses
4. Did you have an "extended replacement cost" or other type of provision in your policy that increased your stated dwelling limits?
Yes		180	90%
No		21	10%
Total		201	100%
5. Were your extended replacement cost limits:
25%		40	22%
50%		69	37%
Other, please specify		77	41%
6. What is the name of your insurance company?
226 Responses
7. Name of Agent/Broker that sold you the policy:  (NOTE:  After prior disasters, patterns showing people were underinsured with the same agent or broker helped solve problems.  If you do not feel comfortable answering this question, skip to the next one).
156 Responses
8. What percentage of your dwelling limits have been paid to you? (If you don't know, give us your best guesstimate)
214 Responses
9. At this time, have you received an independent estimate of what it would cost to repair, rebuild or replace your home with one of like kind and quality in compliance with today's building codes?  ("Independent" means you picked, not your insurer or adjuster)If your answer is "No", skip to Question 16.
Yes		165	73%
No		60	27%
Total		225	100%
10. Are your insurance policy dwelling limits sufficient to cover the cost of repairing, replacing or rebuilding your home?
Yes		49	26%
No		139	74%
Total		188	100%
11. If insurance policy limits are not enough/sufficient, give your best estimate of the amount you are underinsured (Estimating rebuilding cost minus (-) insurance proceeds)
144 Responses
12. Has your insurance company made a settlement offer on the dwelling portion of your coverage?
Yes		83	45%
No		101	55%
Total		184	100%
13. If yes, is the amount of that offer above your policy limits?
Yes		32	33%
No		66	67%
Total		98	100%
14. Is the amount of that offer sufficient to rebuild your home?
Yes		37	36%
No		67	64%
Total		104	100%
15. Please list the names of every person assigned by your insurer to adjust your claim, including attorneys:
131 Responses
16. The following question is only for those who do not yet have an "independent" dwelling repair/replacement estimate:Please circle all applicable reasons why you have not received an independent estimate of what it would cost to repair/replace/rebuild your damaged or destroyed home:
Can't find a qualified professional who will take the time to come out		2	3%
I'm not building the same house		17	25%
I don't want to or can't pay for an estimate		6	9%
I'm relying on the insurance company/adjuster to get that information		7	10%
I'm overwhelmed		24	35%
Other, please specify		42	62%
17. Are you considering buying a replacement home instead of rebuilding?
Yes		62	28%
No		156	72%
Total		218	100%
18. If yes, has your insurance company told you the total dollar amount of insurance benefits you will be able to use to buy instead of rebuild? (Please explain)
61 Responses
19. Do you feel you have reached a settlement with your insurance company on the dwelling portion of your loss?
Yes, we have reached a settlement		61	28%
No we are still negotiating		157	72%
Total		218	100%
20. Please describe as best you can the status of your settlement negotiations with your insurance company, and any obstacles you're facing:
175 Responses
21. Have you filed a formal complaint (Request for Assistance "RFA") with the California Department of Insurance?
Yes		36	17%
No		170	83%
Total		206	100%
22. If you have not filed a formal RFA with the California Department of Insurance, please explain why you haven't:
I'm afraid it will make matters worse		10	7%
I don't want my insurance company to be angry with me		6	4%
I don't know how to file an RFA		5	4%
I can't file an RFA yet because we're still negotiating		42	30%
I don't think it will do any good		18	13%
Other, please specify		81	57%
23. If you have filed a formal complaint/RFA with the California Department of Insurance, please describe the status and what's happened so far:
41 Responses
24. What is your understanding of how long your insurer will cover your Additional Living Expenses "ALE" (sometimes called "Loss of Use" )?(Circle one)
12 months		5	3%
24 months		116	61%
Until we can move back in		16	8%
Until our limits run out		19	10%
Other, please specify		35	18%
Total		191	100%
25. Did your insurance company ever offer to give you a list of items that are typically reimbursable under the "ALE" portion of your policy?
Yes		43	22%
No		150	78%
Total		193	100%
26. Did your insurance company provide you an advance of at least three months of ALE after you found housing?
Yes		152	78%
No		42	22%
Total		194	100%
27. Are you worried that you are going to run out of ALE benefits before you rebuild/repair/replace your home?
Yes		61	33%
No		124	67%
Total		185	100%
28. Please describe any concerns or problems you have had or are having that relate to your claim, coverage or benefits for ALE (or loss of use):
110 Responses
29. Personal Property/Contents CoverageDo you believe you have enough insurance coverage on "contents" to replace everything you lost?
Yes		94	49%
No		99	51%
Total		193	100%
30. If you answered "No", please explain the shortfall you will have on your contents insurance coverage:
97 Responses
31. Has your insurance company paid you at least 40% of your total Personal Property/Contents limits?
Yes		124	64%
No		71	36%
Total		195	100%
32. Is your insurance company requiring you to itemize all items in order to be fully reimbursed for your Personal Property/Content loss?
Yes		156	75%
No		51	25%
Total		207	100%
33. If "Yes", did you ask if they would "waive" the requirement to itemize all items?
Yes		74	47%
No		85	53%
Total		159	100%
34. If "Yes", what was your insurance company's response to your request?
86 Responses
35. Did your insurance company explain "depreciation" and how they calculated depreciation on your Personal Property/Contents items?
Yes		90	45%
No		108	55%
Total		198	100%
36. Did your insurance company explain what you need to do to collect the balance (above ACV) of what you're owed for items on your Personal Property/Contents list after you replace them?
Yes		84	44%
No		107	56%
Total		191	100%
37. If you are underinsured on your personal property/contents claim (meaning your insurance is less than what it will cost to replace everything that was damaged or destroyed), have you asked your insurer to pay over policy limits?
Yes		33	24%
No		107	76%
Total		140	100%
38. If you answered "Yes", what is the status of your request for increased limits?
46 Responses
39. If you did not have insurance on your dwelling, please explain the circumstances.  Thank you.
9 Responses
40. Optional:
213 Responses
41. Optional:Phone number/E-mail address:
133 Responses
42. What area was your home in?
Dulzura		1	0%
Escondido		23	11%
Fallbrook		16	8%
Lake Arrowhead		29	14%
Ramona		23	11%
Rancho Bernardo		82	38%
Running Springs		8	4%
Other, please specify		36	17%