In this section you will find tips, tools and resources for recovering from a partial or total wildfire loss. Our main focus is on helping you navigate your insurance claim toward a full, fair and prompt settlement, but we also offer guidance on emotional recovery, debris removal, temporary living arrangements, government aid, construction issues, hiring professional help, and deciding how and if you will repair, rebuild or buy a replacement home.
In addition to what you'll find here, you can use the search box and watch videos of Roadmap to Recovery™ post-disaster workshops. If you're insured with CSAA, Farmers, Hartford, State Farm or USAA, you're entitled to a 4 month cash advance on ALE benefits and 25% of your contents coverage ASAP under a special agreement. If your insurer is on that list, you should still ask for these advances.
PLEASE NOTE: UP is a non-profit that does not charge for services. If someone tells you they are with our organization and you can hire them for a fee, they are NOT. You may see flyers for informational meetings about your insurance claim. If they don't have our logo, chances are they're for profit.
Claim Guidance Library
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Wildfire (Total Loss) Claim Help Library |
Partial Loss Claim Help Library |
Here are some items to get you started putting one foot in front of the other on the road to recovery:
- An open letter from one fire survivor to another
- Top Ten Insurance Claim Tips
- FAQs about Home Insurance Claims in California
- Sample Letter Requesting Copy of Policy
- Simplified Guide to Your Declarations Page
- ALE/Loss of Use: What expenses can you claim on your homeowner's policy?
- Sample Letter Requesting Information About Insurance Benefits for Temporary Living Expenses ("ALE" or "Loss of Use")
- A Guide to Your Insurance Legal Rights
- Special protections for wildfire victims
- Voluntary claim handling reforms
- Buy or rebuild?
- Getting Your Mortgage Company To Release Insurance Proceeds
- Speak UP: Tips for Communicating with your Insurance Company
- Maximizing Business Insurance Benefits After a Fire
- Updating Your Home Insurance After a Loss
To view our full menu of resources or for more information on this program, visit the Roadmap to Recovery page.
Related News Articles and Resources
- California reforms should ease fire victims’ insurance claims
- Non-profit offers insurance advice to fire victims
- www.LakeCountyRecovers.com
- www.teamlakecounty.org
- Right of Entry Permit - Debris Removal
Previous Roadmap to Recovery Workshops:
Tuesday, August 2nd, 2016
Valley Fire - Cobb, CA
Little Red School House
15780 Bottle Rock Rd., Cobb
Workshop Topic: Deadlines and Decisions; Healing and Dealing at the one-year anniversary
Tuesday, August 2nd, 2016
Butte Fire - Mountain Ranch
Thursday, July 14th, 2016 at 6pm
Mountain Ranch Town Hall
8049 Washington Street, Mountain Ranch
Workshop Topic: Deadlines and Decisions; Healing and Dealing at the one-year anniversary
Butte Fire - Mountain Ranch
Friday, February 26th, 2016 at 6pm
Mountain Ranch Town Hall
8049 Washington Street, Mountain Ranch
Workshop Topic: Post-Disaster Income Tax Issues.
Underinsurance was also discussed.
Valley Fire - Middletown, CA
Thursday, February 25, 2016
Middletown High School Multipurpose Room/Cafeteria
15826 Wardlaw St., Middletown
Workshop Topic: Tips for resolving claim disputes, including negotition,
mediation, appraisal and litigation.
*If you were unable to attend this workshop, you can watch this workshop online.*
Valley Fire - Middletown, CA
Thursday, January 21st, 2016
Middletown High School Multipurpose Room/Cafeteria
15826 Wardlaw St., Middletown
Workshop Topic: Tips for settling the contents portion of your claim.
Strategies for completing your home inventory and understanding depreciation
Valley Fire - Middletown and Lakeport
Wednesday, January 13th, 6pm
Twin Pines Casino Event Center
22223 CA 29, Middletown
Thursday, January 14th, 6pm
Lakeport City Hall Council Chambers
225 Park Street, Lakeport
Topic: Post-Disaster Income Tax Workshop
Butte Fire - Mountain Ranch
Wednesday, January 13th, 2016 at 6pm
Mountain Ranch Town Hall
8049 Washington Street, Mountain Ranch
Workshop Topic: Tips for settling the dwelling portion of your claim
Valley Fire - Middletown, CA
Thursday, December 3rd at 6pm
Middletown High School Multipurpose Room/Cafeteria
15826 Wardlaw St., Middletown
Workshop Topic: Underinsurance and Effective Claims Communication
* If you were unable to attend this workshop, you can watch this workshop online*
Butte Fire - Mountain Ranch, CA
Friday, November 20th at 6pm
Mountain Ranch Town Hall
8049 Washington Street, Mountain Ranch
Workshop Topic: Tips for settling the contents portion of your claim.
Strategies for completing your home inventory and understanding depreciation
Valley Fire - Middletown, CA
Tuesday, November 10th at 6pm
Middletown High School Multipurpose Room/Cafeteria
15826 Wardlaw St., Middletown
Workshop Topic: Tips for settling the dwelling portion of your claim
Butte Fire - Wednesday, October 14th, 6pm
Mountain Ranch Town Hall
8049 Washington Street
Mountain Ranch, CA
Workshop Topic: First steps after a wildfire and insurance recovery orientation
Valley Fire - Thursday, October 8th, 6pm
Middletown High School
Multipurpose Room/Cafeteria
15846 Wardlaw St., Middletown
Workshop Topic: First steps after a wildfire and insurance recovery orientation
