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The damage a wildfire can cause is devastating. In 2021, the Dixie Fire left many residents displaced for months, leaving them with little to nothing when they returned home to their communities. Although there is not much we can do physically to help you repair your property; we can assist you with recovering compensation for damages caused by the wildfire.
The team at Kershaw Talley Barlow is here to provide you with steps on how to recover compensation after sustaining damages to your property correctly.
1. Make Sure Your Property is Secured
As you make your return to your home, there are a few safety precautions you should take. Ensure the fire is completely put out in your house and the surrounding areas before making a total return. You should also board up your property to prevent destruction, theft, and vandalism if you don’t plan on staying in your house for the time being. This step is crucial for ensuring your safety.
2. Ask for an Advance
If you had to evacuate your home quickly, you might have left some necessary items behind. But with your home owner’s policy, you should be able to ask your company for an advance against your future claim. This means your insurance will cover the cost of any necessities you left behind for the time being. Until you’re able to contact an agent, document all receipts of purchases you’ve made since the fire. But don’t get carried away, as your insurance won’t cover nonessential items.
Make sure to double-check your policy as we approach fire season. Your insurance agent will let you know if you need to purchase an endorsement so your contents can be covered under a replacement policy.
3. File Your Claim
We cannot emphasize enough to file your claim as soon as possible. The quicker you file, the faster you’re able to receive compensation for recovering what’s left of your property. An insurance company will send out an adjuster to review the damage and make an estimate of how much your claim will be. This is why it’s important to document all losses lost in the fire.
4. Document All Losses
Documenting all losses from the fire is key to receiving the compensation you need. Try to take thorough photos and videos of your property, including any personal items that may have been destroyed in the fire. If you have any receipts from items that were damaged, keep them as you can be reimbursed in your claim.
5. Contact Our Fire Attorneys
We understand this is a challenging time for you and your family, so we would like to extend our hand to assist you with all your legal needs. Our attorneys will make sure you get the maximum compensation needed to return back to your everyday life. Whether you’re dealing with personal injury, wrongful death, or property damage, we can take care of you. You should not have to handle taking on big companies like PG&E on your own—we’re ready to fight whenever you are!
Contact our office today at (916) 520-6639 or visit our website to get started on your free consultation.