Episode Details

Attorneys who specialize in wildfire and other insurance cases provide a practical guide to the insurance process after a home or property loss. Topics covered include: explanation of homeowners' insurance coverage, the claims process, and what to expect.

📂 Access materials: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tRPBWUOBPmQRFRsMd_HETjt2Uu49SNQg/view?usp=sharing

Special thanks to our speakers for sharing their expertise! - Amanda L. Riddle, Corey, Luzaich, de Ghetaldi & Riddle LLP; John Torbett, Kramer Trial Lawyers; David Paletz, Kramer Trial Lawyers; Stacy Monahan Tucker, Monahan Tucker Law; Daniel Kramer (moderator), Kramer Trial Lawyers; Co-Chair, BHBA Personal Injury Law Section

DISCLAIMER: This program and the associated written materials are provided for informational purposes only and are not intended, and must not be taken, as legal advice on any particular set of facts or circumstances. You should not act or refrain from acting on the basis of any content included in this program without seeking legal or other professional advice on your specific matter. This program contains general information and may not reflect current legal developments or address your specific situation. This program and the associated written materials are not intended as a solicitation.

More resources for the public and more attorneys can be found here: https://bhba.org/recovery/

Topics to be covered:

Do you need a lawyer or public adjuster?

Speaker Introductions

Should I file an insurance claim?

Insurance coverage is the fastest way to get money into your hands

How do I file an insurance claim

File insurance claim under all policies that you have

How to communicate with claims representative and what information should be exchanged at the outset.

Insurance documents to obtain from insurance broker/claims representative.

Homeowner's Insurance: types of coverage and what it covers

Renter's Insurance: types of coverage and what it covers

Loss of Use and Additional Living Expenses Coverage

Personal Property Coverage and How to Document Lost Personal Property

How to do a personal property inventory

Personal property loss claims when the real property survived.

Proving or documenting personal property loss.

How will the insurance carrier calculate the value of personal property?

What is a public adjuster and how do they operate?

Documenting personal property claims - what to include

When does FEMA apply?

FEMA and gift donations: do they cancel each other out? - how to keep them separate

How to handle gifts and donations to avoid impact on FEMA funds.

How insurance carriers will calculate rebuilding costs: replacement cost v. actual cash value.

Extended replacement cost endorsement and how it adds extra coverage

Unpermitted additions or improvement to the home and how they may be covered and documented

Building upgrades and code compliance coverage

Insurance payments on mortgaged properties.

Do you have to rebuild on the same land?

Will your insurance coverage or premiums be affected by making a claim?

Maximum potential insurance recovery and Guaranteed Replacement Cost Coverage

State of CA and Dept. of Insurance consumer protections.