Wildfires in California Lead to Mandatory Evacuations For Thousands of Residents

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE New York Press Office: (212) 346-5500; media@iii.org
California Press Office: (707) 490-9365; janetr@iii.org

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, August 3, 2015 — With nineteen wildfires burning in California, many residents are being required to leave their homes. Those under a a mandatory evacuation order may be eligible for additional living expense coverage (ALE) through their homeowners insurance policies, according to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.).

The largest and fast-moving Rocky wildfire in Lake/Yolo/Colusa counties grew to 60,000 acres over the weekend and threatened 6,300 residences, forcing 12,000 residents to evacuate. As of Monday morning CAL FIRE reported that 24 homes and 25 outbuildings had been lost.

“It is important for evacuees to contact their insurance professional as soon as possible,” said Janet Ruiz, California Representative for the I.I.I. “They may have insurance benefits to cover the additional expenses associated with the mandatory evacuation, such as the cost of temporary housing and food.”

Standard homeowner and renters insurance policies cover the cost of additional living expenses (ALE) when there is an insured disaster. This includes the expense of living away from your home if there is a mandatory evacuation or if your home is damaged (and made unlivable) due to an insured disaster such a fire, windstorm, fallen object or other disaster listed in your policy. ALE covers hotel bills, restaurant meals and other expenses, over and above customary living expenses, incurred while your home is being rebuilt.

Coverage for ALE differs from company to company. Many policies provide coverage for about 20 percent of the total insurance on your house. Some companies provide coverage for a specific amount of time. You can generally purchase additional ALE coverage.

Voluntary evacuations that are not required by authorities do not generally trigger ALE coverage, however.

“Once homeowners and renters are allowed to return to their properties it is important to assess damages and contact their insurance professional right away to start the recovery process and file claims,” said Ruiz. The I.I.I. offers step-by-step information on how to file a claim after a disaster. 

Fortunately, fire damage is covered under standard homeowners and renters insurance policies. Homeowners in wildfire-prone states should make sure to purchase enough homeowners insurance coverage to completely rebuild their homes and replace all of their personal possessions.

Cars either damaged or destroyed by fire are also covered under the optional comprehensive coverage portion of an auto insurance policy.

Having an up-to-date home inventory—a detailed list of your personal possessions with their estimated values—can make filing a claim following a catastrophe such as a wildfire easier and more accurate. The I.I.I.’s offers the free, Know Your Stuff® -- Home Inventory tool to help consumers create and maintain a precise inventory—and with secure, cloud-based storage, it can provide an important back-up in the event other documents are destroyed in a fire.

For detailed information on how to protect your home against wildfires, the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) provides an assessment and checklist. The I.I.I. and the IBHS also offer the free Know Your Plan app to help prepare for disasters and evacuations.

RELATED LINKS

Issues Update: Wildfire: Issues Update

Facts and Statistics: Wildfire

Articles: How to Create a Home Inventory; How to Plan Your Evacuation; Evacuation with Pets

Videos: Organizing Your Evacuation; 10-minute Challenge.

The I.I.I. has a full library of educational videos on its You Tube Channel. Information about I.I.I. mobile apps can be found here.

THE I.I.I. IS A NONPROFIT, COMMUNICATIONS ORGANIZATION SUPPORTED BY THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY.

Insurance Information Institute, 110 William Street, New York, NY 10038; (212) 346-5500; www.iii.org