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. August 2020 wildfires impacted homes and businesses in many regions throughout California, and our tips and support will be useful in all of them. A Federal Disaster Declaration secured by Governor Newsom means that SBA and FEMA resources will be available for the counties in the Disaster Declaration. United Policyholders encourages all impacted households to click here and register to get information and aid.

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.

Remember to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), wildfire survivors can apply for federal aid even if insured. Disaster assistance may be able to fill insurance gaps or provide help if you've been waiting more than 30 days on a homeowner's claim. The deadline for registering for losses in August is November 23, 2020.

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 geninuely 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

____________________________________

Roadmap to Recovery
November Workshops

Survivor to Survivor

Trained UP volunteers with personal experience recovering from previous wildfires will share practical tips for the first phase of loss recovery and coping with the holiday season.
Wednesday, October 27, 2020, 7:00 PM

Roadmap to Recovery Q&A
Thursday, October 29, 2020, 5:30 PM

Smoke Damage/Insurance Claim Intensive
Wednesday, November 4, 2020, 4:00 PM

Insurance Claims Rules and
Your Legal Rights

Thursday, November 5, 2020, 4:00 PM

Navigating the Contents
Portion of Your Claim

Thursday, November 19, 2020, 4:00 PM

Click on any date to register

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

Debris Removal After a Partial or Total Loss

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 VIDEO: Standing Homes, Smoke/Heat Insurance and Recovery Guidance

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

SIGN UP HERE to receive information and alerts from United Policyholders

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:

Previous UP Workshops and Events

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