In the aftermath of this devastating event in Los Angeles, Compass wants to provide clear and supportive guidance to help begin the recovery process. Please share the following with whomever may need it. Please review the following steps to prioritize your safety and secure the necessary assistance:
Immediate Actions
Contact Your Insurance Provider:
• Initiate your claim as soon as possible.
Register for Assistance:
• Sign up with FEMA and the American Red Cross
for immediate support and resources.
Documenting Losses for Insurance
Create a List of Lost Items:
• Start an itemized list of your belongings while it’s
fresh in your mind.
• Go room by room mentally and write down major
items. Details can be filled in later.
• Keep a notepad with you to jot down items as you
remember them.
• Photos can help jog your memory but only use
them if it’s not too upsetting.
Download a free home inventory guide from the Department website, or receive a hard copy by calling the Department of Insurance Consumer Hotline at 800-927-4357.
Temporary Housing Assistance
Take Charge of Housing Solutions:
• Your insurance company will offer housing
assistance, but they may not fully understand
California’s competitive rental market.
• If you find a rental, provide your Additional Living
Expenses (ALE) representative with the contact
information so they can handle the arrangements.
• Even if you stay with family or friends, ALE can
reimburse them for the rooms you use.
Financial Documentation
Save All Receipts:
• Keep receipts for hotel stays, meals, purchases,
and any travel related to regular activities.
• Mileage driven for essential errands may also
be reimbursed.
Homeowners usually have the option to pause mortgage payments for as much as a year if they are impacted by a natural disaster. This is called forbearance. Mortgage companies are required to offer it on the roughly 40% of loans backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Loans backed by the Federal Housing Administration and the Department of Veterans Affairs have similar guidance. Forbearance is often doled out in three- or six-month increments. (WSJ)
Temporary Furnishings
& Household Items
Leverage Insurance for Household Needs:
• Your insurance can cover the rental of furniture,
mattresses, bedding, kitchen essentials, and basic
household items (vacuums, towels, trash cans, etc.).
• If you haven’t received donated items, rent what
you need for now—you can replace them over time.
Recovering Essential Documents
Visit the Local Assistance Center (LAC):
• Replace important documents such as your driver’s
license, birth certificates, Social Security cards,
passports, and vehicle registration.
• Explore every table at the LAC to close utility
accounts and access gift cards or support from
various organizations.
Emotional Well-being
Be Kind to Yourself:
• Experiencing forgetfulness and feeling overwhelmed
is normal. Be kind and patient with yourself during this
time. Natural disasters impact more than just physical
property—they can also affect mental health.
• The L.A. County Department of Mental Health is
offering support through its disaster distress helpline
(800-985-5990) or by texting the phrase “TalkWithUs”
to 66746.
• Residents can also try the department’s access line:
800-854-7771.
Attorney General Bonta urges Californians to
beware of fraudsters who may attempt to
take advantage during this natural disaster.
If it sounds too good to be true, it may be.
Do your research, and see the following tips
to protect yourself from scams:
Verify Credentials: Always check licenses,
certifications, and reviews for contractors,
adjusters, and charities. To find licensed
contractors check with the
Be Skeptical of Upfront Payments: Avoid
paying large sums upfront for services or
promises of assistance.
Confirm Authenticity: Use official
channels to verify government
representatives or relief efforts.
Monitor Your Accounts: Regularly review
financial accounts and credit reports for
suspicious activity.
Report Fraud: Report suspected scams
to local law enforcement or to his office
at Source:
Contractors State License Board oag.ca.gov/report.
https:/ www.oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-bonta-local-leaders-share-tips-keep-californians-
safe-fires
TIPS FOR WILDFIRE CLAIMANTS
Obtain a complete copy of your residential homeowner's insurance
policy, including your declarations page. The law requires your
insurance company to provide this to you free of charge within 30 days
of your request. Ask your agent or insurer representative to explain how
much coverage you have (1) to rebuild or repair your home, (2) for your
personal belongings, and (3) for living expenses. This should include an
explanation of Extended Replacement Cost and Building Code
Upgrade coverages if applicable. Ask how to most effectively claim
your coverage benefits.
Take note of your Additional Living Expense (ALE) limits and manage
your ALE expenses in recognition of a long rebuilding process. Your
time to collect ALE after a declared catastrophe is no less than 24
months even if your policy says otherwise; however your amount of
coverage is not increased. An extension of up to 12 additional months,
for a total of 36 months, should be granted if you encounter delays
beyond your reasonable control.
Track all of your additional expenses that arise from having to live in
another location away from your home. Note: your ALE reimbursement
may be offset by your normal cost of living before the fire (i.e., ALE
does not pay for your mortgage or expenses you would normally incur)
but you are entitled to the same standard of living you had before the
fire. ALE will pay for temporary rent, additional mileage, etc.
Document all of your conversations with your insurer/adjuster about
your claim and policy limitations in a dedicated "claim diary." If your
adjuster says something is excluded, limited, or subject to certain
conditions, ask the adjuster to point out the specific provision in your
policy being cited.
Get at least one licensed contractor's estimate or bid on the cost to
rebuild your home just to get a reasonable sense of the actual cost as
compared to your coverage limits (for more considerations on
contractors, view the CDI's electronic brochure
and check the website.) While your insurance company may provide its own estimate, it may contain errors
or fail to reflect local conditions or demand surge. Demand surge
reflects price increases following a major disaster when contractors and
materials are in short supply.
Call the Department of Insurance Hotline for help at (800) 927-4357.
You can also . Consider insights from consumer
advocates. Contact CSLB at 1-800-321-2752 to obtain a free copy of their publications.
Contact Alena Lehrer | Compass | DRE02120134
