Navigating Insurance Claims for Eaton Fire Survivors

Insurance, even great insurance, typically does not cover the full extent of harm resulting from the Eaton Fire. Following a fire, survivors often endure a range of physical, emotional, and financial challenges from which a lawsuit can help you recover.

 

According to the Washington Post, “Experts say homeowners in fire-prone areas are increasingly carrying policies that may not cover the full cost of rebuilding.”

 

Filing an Eaton Fire lawsuit against Southern California Edison allows you to seek compensation for losses that are not covered by insurance.

 

 

Learn more about why you should file a lawsuit, even with insurance.

Many people are reporting having trouble getting in touch with their insurance companies despite their obligation to respond to you within 15 days.

 

We suggest communicating with your representative via written communication to ensure a timely response.  As appropriate, you should escalate to a supervisor or, if needed, file a complaint with the Department of Insurance.

No, the money you receive from your insurance company is yours.

 

The lawsuit seeks compensation from Southern California Edison for losses that may or may not be covered by insurance.

You will need to contact your insurance company directly to open a claim. Claims are usually assigned on a first come first served basis, so it is important to contact them as soon as you can.

 

Once you open a claim, ask for a complete copy of your insurance policy, including all declarations pages, riders and endorsements. Sometimes additional coverage is listed in different portions of your policy, so it is important to review the entire policy.

Your insurance should cover most of your displacement expenses, which may include payments for immediate needs like food, clothing, and shelter during the time you were displaced from your home.

 

Additional living expenses coverage of displacement expenses is typically limited by a dollar amount or time period. However, because a State of Emergency was declared for the Eaton Fire, these limits may be extended.

To easily track and submit these expenses to insurance companies, consider opening a credit card or account that is used exclusively for these expenses.

• You have the right to replace a destroyed home elsewhere rather than rebuilding in the same location.
• Your home’s foundation is likely not covered by your homeowners’ policy.
• Most homeowners’ policies include coverage for not only your home and its contents, but also for landscaping, fences, sewer systems, and other structures such as detached garages and sheds. These coverages may be separate for your Dwelling coverage. Your policy may also cover smoke and water damage.
• If your insurer prepares a rebuild estimate, request the name and contact information of at least one local contractor who will perform the rebuild work at the rate estimated.

Your insurer may ask you to provide a list of personal belongings destroyed by the fire. This is a very important list, so take your time and make sure to include everything.

 

Our legal team are experienced and trained to help our clients navigate this process, as it can be emotionally taxing. If you are interested in learning how our team can you with this process, fill out the form above.

Our California fire attorneys have extensive experience representing California fire survivors in lawsuits against utilities for recklessly causing destruction. To date, we have represented over 6,300 survivors of utility-caused fires and explosions in California. On behalf of these clients, we have secured over $1.5B in compensation.

 

 Corey Gibbs Fire Lawyer Amanda Riddle was appointed as liaison counsel on behalf of individual plaintiffs in the Eaton Fire litigation. As liaison counsel, Amanda will serve as one of the primary spokespersons for individual fire survivors and will coordinate between parties involved in the case.

 

Additionally, Amanda Riddle was an integral member of the team that negotiated the $13.5 billion settlement with PG&E during the company’s bankruptcy following the 2015 Butte Fire, 2017 North Bay Fires, and the 2018 Camp Fire, which collectively killed over 100 people and destroyed over 30,000 structures in Northern California.