2020 California Wildfires

Through our Roadmap to Recovery program you can access free, trustworthy help navigating the process of returning to a wildfire damaged area, repairing and replacing damaged and destroyed property, and collecting all available insurance funds. 2020 wildfires impacted homes and businesses in many regions throughout California, and our tips and support will be useful in all of them.

If your property is damaged or destroyed, our guidance will help you get started on the road to recovery, make good decisions and keep moving forward. United Policyholders is non-profit and has expertise based on nearly three decades of assisting in communities hit by wildfires. Our staff, disaster veteran and professional volunteers and our partnerships with public, private and non-profit partners will help lighten your load. We're rooting for you and here to help. No strings attached.

The following are selected items from the extensive library of resources we offer. Through our Roadmap to Recovery program you can access tips, tools and the straight scoop on insurance, clean up, contractors, lawyers, adjusters, avoiding ripoffs and mistakes, your legal rights and emotional support from people who genuinuely care about helping you navigate successfully. You'll also find links below to recordings of Roadmap to Recovery workshops specifically aimed at 2020 wildfire impacted households.

UPCOMING EVENTS

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Roadmap to Recovery Webinars

Survivor to Survivor Forum

Tuesday, February 2, 7 PM PT

Q&A for 2020 California wildfire survivors
Wednesday, February 3, 5:30 PM PT

Survivor to Survivor Forum

Tuesday, February 16, 7 PM PT

Legal Clinic for 2020 California wildfire survivors
Thursday, February 11
Details TBD. Watch this space to learn how to sign up.

Register for any webinar here: www.uphelp.org/r2r

Click here to sign up here to be notified of future events and to download our 2020 California Wildfire Guide

Steps on the Road to Recovery

STEP 1: Taking it in and getting started

TIP: If you lost your home in the wildfire, when you file your insurance claim, be sure to ask for a cash advance to help you get situated. Because this is a "California declared disaster" you should get a cash advance of 25% of your contents limit and 4 months of your "Additional Living Expense" coverage. Be sure to ask for it in writing (email counts). Your adjuster may be from out of State, so if you get pushback - you can show them this Bulletin from the California Department of Insurance.

STEP 2: Arranging temporary housing

STEP 3: Getting organized

STEP 4: Getting debris removed

Partial Losses/Standing Homes:

If your home was spared but was exposed to extreme heat and smoke, we offer specialized guidance on partial loss insurance claim issues related to proper cleaning, inspecting for damage, restoring healthy indoor air quality and repairing obvious as well as hidden damage.

FEATURED VIDEOS:
Standing Homes, Smoke/Heat Insurance and Recovery Guidance
Smoke, Ash & Soot: A Partial Damage/Insurance Claims Intensive for 2020 wildfire survivors

STEP 5: Being pro-active in documenting and valuing your losses

STEP 6: Creating your home inventory and navigating your contents claim

STEP 7: Making financial decisions

STEP 8: Choosing a contractor

STEP 9: Working with your mortgage company

Getting Your Mortgage Company to Release Insurance Proceeds

STEP 10: Getting help if/when you need it

Taking care of yourself along the way

Healing and dealing throughout your recovery

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NOTE: United Policyholders respects and protects the privacy of all who communicate with our organization. We do not share or sell our mailing lists.

Eyes tired from reading? Watch our FIRST STEPS AFTER A WILDFIRE video here.

Related News and Information:

CDI Bulletin (8/26/20 Expedited Claim Handling Bulletin)
CDI Bulletin: Continuation of ALE Benefits
CDI Bulletin: Chart of Significant Claims and Coverage-Related Laws
Insurer responses to 10/6/20 CDI notice regarding contents inventory
2020 CZU Wildfire Survivors: The Santa Cruz County Recovery Permit Center is available to assist you in obtaining building permits to replace homes and other structures that were damaged or destroyed by the CZU fire.

They can be contacted at:
RPC@santacruzcounty.us
831-454-5323

Previous UP Workshops and Events:

Roadmap to Recovery virtual workshop
Options and Remedies for the Underinsured
January 21, 2021, 4:00 PM

Survivor to Survivor forum
Volunteers with personal experience recovering from previous wildfires share practical tips
January 19, 2021 7:00 PM

Roadmap to Recovery virtual workshop
Scoop on "Scope" Part 1
January 16, 2021, 10:00 AM
Power Point slides

Q&A Insurance claim help for 2020 wildfire survivors
January 14, 2021, 5:30 PM
Power Point slides

Survivor to Survivor forum
Volunteers with personal experience recovering from previous wildfires share practical tips
December 15, 2020, 7:00 PM

Q&A Insurance claim help for 2020 wildfire survivors
December 9, 2020, 5:30 PM
Power Point slides

Insurance claim help for 2020 mobile home wildfire survivors (second YouTube link en Español)
December 3, 2020, 4:00 PM

Q&A Insurance claim help for 2020 wildfire survivors
December 2, 2020, 5:30 PM

Survivor to Survivor forum
Volunteers with personal experience recovering from previous wildfires share practical tips
December 1, 2020, 7:00 PM

Navigating the Contents Portion of Your Claim
November 19, 2020, 4:00 PM
Power Point slides

Q&A Insurance claim help for 2020 wildfire survivors
October 29, 2020, 5:30 PM
Power Point slides

Roadmap to Recovery virtual workshop (second YouTube link en Español)
Insurance Claims Rules and Your Legal Rights for 2020 wildfire survivors
November 5, 2020, 4:00 PM
Power Point slides

Roadmap to Recovery virtual workshop
Smoke, Ash & Soot: A Partial Damage/Insurance Claims Intensive for 2020 wildfire survivors
November 4, 2020, 4:00 PM
Power Point slides

Q&A Insurance claim help for 2020 wildfire survivors
October 29, 2020, 5:30 PM

Survivor to Survivor Forum
Volunteers with personal experience recovering from previous wildfires share practical tips
October 28, 2020, 7:00 PM

Insurance Help for Renters (second YouTube link en Español)
October 15, 2020, 4:00 PM
Power Point slides

Total Losses Insurance and Recovery Guidance (second YouTube link en Español)
Navigating the "Dwelling" Portion of Your Claim
October 8, 2020, 5:30 PM
Power Point slides