2020 California Wildfires – Insurance Claim and Recovery Help

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.

DEBRIS FLOW ALERT:  Wildfire-impacted areas are vulnerable to erosion, flooding and debris flow.  Please check out guidance from your local government and UP’s tips on insurance considerations.

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 genuinely 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.

HOUSING GRANT ALERT: The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) has launched its ReCoverCA Housing Programs for those affected by 2020 disasters!

ReCoverCA Housing Programs are designed to address eligible homeowners’ unmet recovery needs within federally declared disaster areas. Grants of up to $500,000 for eligible disasters are available to cover unmet needs remaining if insurance, SBA loans, FEMA, legal settlement, and other resources do not fully cover the cost of the recovery needs of your home.

2020 Eligible Disasters Include:

  • FEMA DR-4558 (August 14 through September 26, 2020) Fires: Butte, Napa, Santa Cruz, Solano, and Sonoma counties.
  • FEMA DR-4569 (September 4 through November 17, 2020) Fires: Fresno, Los Angeles, Napa, Shasta, Siskiyou, and Sonoma counties.

The two programs include the Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation and Reconstruction program and the Owner-Occupied Wildfire Mitigation program.