Navigating Insurance Claims for Eaton Fire Survivors

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Through our team’s experience in representing over 6,300 survivors of utility-caused fires and explosions in California, we have developed resources & tips to help survivors navigate insurance claims. 

 

This information can help you and your family recover from the aftermath of the Eaton Fire. The first step for Eaton Fire survivors is to contact their insurance companies and open a claim to seek payment as soon as possible.  Contact all insurance companies with which you have policies, including:

  • homeowners’ insurers
  • renters’ insurers
  • business insurers
  • automobile insurers

This page details tips to help you navigate the insurance claims process.

Learn How Filing an Eaton Fire lawsuit against SCE may compensate for losses that are not covered by insurance.

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LEARN THE FACTS

Why Should You File a Lawsuit Even if You Have Good Insurance Coverage?

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.

 

A bar graph titled "Insurance not enough? How a claim against SCE can fill in the gaps." The graph compares what insurance may cover (in orange) versus what the Eaton claims seek (in blue) across four categories: Rebuild per sq ft: Orange covers roughly one-third, blue fills the rest. Sentimental Items: Orange is a small portion at the bottom, blue takes up the majority. Personal Property: Orange covers about half, blue covers the other half. Emotional Distress: Entirely blue, with no orange.

 

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

What Should I do If My Insurance Isn’t Getting Back to Me?

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.

Don’t Forget:

 

Your insurance company is legally required to act in your best interests and must fairly investigate your claim and fairly value any damaged property.

 

If you are receiving an illogical or unfair answer from a claims representative, appeal up the chain. 

Will Participating in a Lawsuit Reduce My Insurance Money?

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.

How to Begin Your Eaton Fire Insurance Claims

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.

Insurance Coverage of Displacement Expenses for Eaton Fire Survivors

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.

Living Expenses coverage is extended to 24 months minimum in a disaster.

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

Homeowners' Coverage for Eaton Fire Survivors

If you rebuild your home, you may be eligible for additional coverage that may be as much as 150% of your policy limit.

 

  • 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.

Putting Together a Personal Property Inventory for Insurance

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.

Prefer to chat? Give us a call at
626-624-5598

Meet Your Elite California Wildfire Lawyers Leading the Eaton Fire Lawsuit

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 serves as one of the primary spokespersons for individual fire survivors and coordinates between all 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.

titan of plaintiffs bar award
best law firm ranking
chambers USA leading firms award
daily journal top plaintiff lawyers award

Attorneys

Amanda Riddle

Amanda has been appointed by a judge to a nine member oversight committee for a trust that manages the distribution of $13.5 billion to wildfire survivors.

Steve Lopez

Steve represents consumers, employees, and whistleblowers harmed by corporate misconduct in a variety of complex litigation cases.

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Sumble Manzoor

Sumble has spent much of her career representing survivors of utility caused disasters. In addition to representing the 2015 Butte Fire, the 2017 North Bay Fires and the 2018 Camp Fire survivors, Sumble also represents plaintiffs harmed by utility caused explosions. She prides herself on working to ensure that utilities are held accountable for their failures.

Susan Spiker

Susan represents survivors of utility-caused wildfires, overseeing our team of attorneys and staff who work with our clients to build their claims against SCE.

Brian Bailey

Brian represents clients harmed by misconduct in complex employment discrimination, personal injury, and consumer protection litigation.

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Emma MacPhee

Emma represents plaintiffs harmed by corporate wrongdoing and survivors of sexual assault.

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Daniel Martinez

Daniel has represented hundreds of wildfire survivors affected by the 2017 North Bay Fires and 2018 Camp Fire. He has helped homeowners, renters, and business owners, and has helped them secure millions from utilities companies.

Aileen Nguyen

Aileen has represented hundreds of wildfire survivors affected by the 2017 North Bay Fires and the 2018 Camp Fire, helping homeowners, renters, and businesses pursue their claims.

Lauren Martinez

Lauren supports clients and consumers on various cases, including California wildfires, data breaches, and overdraft bank fee practices.

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Diana L. Prisk

Diana is a certified paralegal with twenty-one years’ experience in litigation.  For the past 10 years she has been working with the fire survivors of the 2015 Butte Fire, 2017 North Bay Fire, 2018 Camp Fire, assisting homeowners, renters, and businesses with their claims.

Emily Cardona

Emily Cardona is a Legal Assistant with extensive experience working with the fire survivors of the 2015 Butte Fire, 2017 North Bay Fire, 2018 Camp Fire. She graduated in the top of her class with a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and Education from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Jason Gibbs

Jason guides clients and potential clients through all stages of the litigation process, from intake to settlement.

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Prefer to chat? Give us a call at
626-624-5598

OUR EATON FIRE LAWSUIT TEAM

Amanda Riddle

Steve Lopez

Brian Bailey

Sumble Manzoor

Susan Spiker

Emma MacPhee

Daniel Martinez

Aileen Nguyen

Lauren Martinez

Diana L. Prisk

Emily Cardona

Jason Gibbs

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