Small Animals:

Visit this comprehensive list of resources published by LA County

https://recovery.lacounty.gov/resources

Visit this comprehensive list of resources published by the city of Los Angeles

https://emergency.lacity.gov/recovery

Wildfire Resources

Our thoughts are with those who suffered a loss as a result of the recent California wildfires. The loss of life and property in the communities hit by these fires is heartbreaking.

In an effort to assist survivors of these devastating fires, we are continuing to work closely with other federal, state and local agencies to assist in recovery issues related to insurance.

Please work with your insurance agent or broker, claims adjuster, and insurance company with a goal of achieving a settlement that you believe is fair and consistent with your coverage. If you have a question about your insurance or a dispute with your insurance company, please call us at 1-800-927-4357 or use the Consumer Hotline Chat button below. We hope the guides listed below can help you understand some of the key insurance coverage terms that typically apply, prepare you for the process of making and settling a claim, and help you to avoid some of the pitfalls that can occur along the way.

• Top 10 Tips for Wildfire Claimants English  Spanish  Mandarin  Vietnamese 
• Home Inventory Guide (English)
• Home Inventory Guide (Spanish)
• Residential Property Claims Guide
• Don’t Get Scammed After a Disaster
• Tips to Avoid Being Victimized by an Insurance Scam
• Evacuation Checklist for Policyholders
• Mandatory One Year Moratorium on Non-Renewals
• Top 10 Tips for Finding Residential Insurance English  Spanish  Mandarin  Vietnamese 
• Residential Insurance Company Contact List
• Coverage for Flood, Mudflow, Mudslide, Debris Flow, Landslide, or other Similar Event After Wildfire – Fact Sheet

Obtain Assistance from CDI

• In-Person Assistance at Commissioner Insurance Workshops and Local Assistance Centers (LACs)
• Locate a Residential Insurance Policy Post Declared Disaster

Commissioner Notices and Press Releases

• Annual Notice – Significant California Laws Effective as of the Date of this Notice Pertaining to Residential Property Insurance Policies, including those related to a Declared State of Emergency – January 9, 2025
• Moratorium on Cancellations and Non-Renewals and Grace Period for Premium Payments for Policies of Residential Property Insurance After the Recent Wildfires in Southern California – January 9, 2025
• Archived Notices

Public Adjuster

The Department of Insurance urges consumers to begin the claims process by contacting their insurance company or agent. The Department strongly suggests people take their time when considering a contract for public adjuster. If a policyholder is considering hiring a public adjuster, the Department also urges consumers to check the public adjuster’s license and make sure they are properly licensed and in good standing.

• Check Public Adjuster License Status
• Enforcement Actions

Wildfire-Related Reports

• Wildfire Availability and Affordability Report
• Revised Appendix D to Availability and Affordability Report

Wildfire Survivor Stories

• Consumer Success Stories

Additional State Resources

• CalOES Statewide Wildfire Recovery Resources
• Small Business Administration (SBA)

Consumers

File a Complaint

Check License Status

Types of Insurance

Health Insurance Information

Company and Agent/Broker Information

Laws & Regulations

Virtual Viewing Room

Dealing with Catastrophes

Administrative Hearings and Public Programs

Cannabis and Insurance

Bail Bonds

Climate Change

Information Guides

Wildfire Response and Readiness

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With thousands of structures destroyed by wildfires that continue to rage out of control around Los Angeles, homeowners and business owners face a long road ahead to recoup their losses.

Filing an insurance claim is one of the many tasks to take care of after the loss of a home or business. It is lengthy process that has become more fraught as insurance companies have canceled or scaled back coverage in fire-prone areas.

After any natural disaster, horror stories invariably crop up about insurance companies skimping or dragging their feet on payments to vulnerable homeowners. Here’s how you can prepare to get the best possible settlement.

Disaster Relief

Misfortune and Calamity Tax Relief

You may be eligible for tax relief if your property is damaged or destroyed by a calamity, such as fire or flooding. To qualify, you must file an Application for Reassessment: Property Damaged or Destroyed by Misfortune or Calamity (ADS-820) with the Assessor’s Office within 12 months from the date the property was damaged or destroyed. The loss must exceed $10,000 of current market value.

Proposition 19 Disaster Relief Transfer of Base Value

In addition, if your property was substantially damaged or destroyed by a Governor-declared disaster, Prop.19 provides for your property’s tax base to be transferred to a comparable property within the same county or another county in California. Please visit our Prop. 19 page

For more information or additional help, please use our Contact Form.

For additional resources you may also visit the Board of Equalization’s Disaster Relief website.

What is disaster relief for property taxes?

California Revenue and Taxation Code section 170 provides that if a major calamity such as fire, earthquake, or flooding damages or destroys your property, you may be eligible for property tax relief if the county where your property is located has adopted an ordinance that allows property tax relief to owners of damaged or destroyed property. Los Angeles County has enacted such an ordinance, and in such cases, the assessor will reappraise the property to reflect its damaged condition. In addition, when it is rebuilt in a like or similar manner, the property will retain its prior value (Proposition 13) factored base value for tax purposes. This property tax relief is available to owners of real property, business equipment and fixtures, orchards or other agricultural groves, and to owners of aircraft, boats, and certain manufactured homes – it is not available to property that is not assessable, such as state licensed manufactured homes or household furnishings.

Has Los Angeles County adopted the ordinance to allow reassessment based on the property’s damaged condition?

All California counties, except for Fresno County, have adopted an ordinance for disaster relief.

What are the filing procedures for disaster relief?

To qualify for property tax relief under California Revenue and Taxation Code section 170, you must file an Application for Reassessment Property Damaged or Destroyed by Misfortune or Calamity form (ADS-820) with the Los Angeles County Assessor’s office within 12 months from the date the property was damaged or destroyed.

How does the disaster relief affect my property tax bill?

The current property taxes will be reduced for that portion of the property damaged or destroyed. This reduction will be from the date of the damage, and will remain in effect until the property is rebuilt or repaired.

Unfortunately, my home burned down in the Woolsey Fire and had significant, more than 50%, damage in the Bobcat Fire. Will I be able to transfer my tax base again to Northern California under Proposition 19 ?

If someone is unfortunate enough to have lost two homes to wildfires or other Governor-proclaimed disasters, they are able to transfer their tax base more than once.

What is considered a natural disaster for tax base transfer purposes?

Under Prop. 19, “Natural disaster” means the existence, as declared by the Governor, of conditions of disaster or extreme peril to the safety of persons or property within the affected area caused by conditions such as fire, flood, drought, storm, mudslide, earthquake, civil disorder, foreign invasion, or volcanic eruption.

When my property is rebuilt or repaired following the damage, will my property taxes be increased over what they were before?

No. Property owners will retain their previous factored base year value if the house is rebuilt in a like or similar manner, regardless of the actual cost of construction. However, any new square footage or extras, such as additional baths, will be added to the base year value at its full market value.

My manufactured home was destroyed in an area that was proclaimed a disaster by the Governor. Am I eligible for any property tax relief?

Yes. In addition to the above provisions, if a manufactured home is totally destroyed in a Governor-declared disaster, it may be replaced by a comparable unit without an increase in either the property taxes or the vehicle license and registration fees.

How do I know the amount of property taxes to be refunded if my house was partially destroyed by a fire?

The Assessor’s office will determine the market value of your house before and after the damage. The percentage of the loss is then applied to the assessed value of your house and a refund is issued. The land value will remain unchanged.

Once I file my application, what is the process?

After an application is processed by the county assessor’s office, a notice of proposed new assessment will be sent to you. After you return this notice to the county assessor’s office, a separate supplemental refund will be made based on the amount of reduction. The refund will be prorated from the date of destruction to the end of the fiscal year. You must still pay your regular tax bill.

What if I disagree with the value as determined by my county assessor’s office?

If you disagree with the value established by the county assessor’s office, you must file an appeal within six months from the date on the notification of proposed values. A hearing will be scheduled by your County Assessment Appeals Board.

Our home was damaged from a wildfire last November and we had to move out while it is being repaired. Are we still allowed the homeowner’s exemption even though we have not returned to our house as of January 1?

Yes. The homeowner’s temporary absence from a dwelling for repairs made necessary by a natural disaster, will not result in the loss of your homeowner’s exemption (HOX) as long as you have not established a permanent residency elsewhere.

My home was damaged by a wildfire last year, but I don’t want to rebuild on the same lot/location. Can I transfer my base year value to another house?

If you are over age 55 or disabled and your principal residence has been substantially damaged or destroyed by any type of misfortune or calamity, you may transfer the base year value under the provisions of Propositions 19.

What action(s) do I need to take if a fire or other emergency caused damage to or complete destruction of my property?

The Assessor recommends that the property owner file an Application for Reassessment of Property Damaged or Destroyed by Misfortune or Calamity (M&C) claim, Form ADS-820 with their office within 12 months from the date the property was damaged or destroyed. The property owner must have owned the property as of January 1 of the calendar year following the event, and the estimated property damage must be at least $10,000. Property owners who have acquired their property after January 1 of the calendar year following the event, may also file an M&C Claim if they are liable for the property taxes for the following fiscal tax year (July 1 to June 30). The M&C Claim form is available on the Assessor’s website at assessor.lacounty.gov/tax-relief/disaster-relief.

Following a wildfire or other disaster, getting back to normal can take some time. To assist in the recovery process, the Triple-I has compiled useful information around post-disaster safety, insurance coverage questions, and detailed guidance on how to file a claim.

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Safety and resources for recovery

Following a wildfire, new perils such as downed trees and power lines, hotspots and ash can pose risks. And if you have evacuated, it might not be safe to go back home. The following articles provide information and guidance to keep you and your loved ones safe in the aftermath.

Insurance for Wildfires 

Wildfire Facts and Statistics for Reporters

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What insurance covers

Damage caused by fire and smoke is covered under standard homeowners, renters and business owners insurance policies and under the optional comprehensive portion of an auto insurance policy. Water losses, or damage caused by fire fighters while extinguishing a fire, is also covered under these policies.

In California, the California Fair Access to Insurance Requirements (FAIR) Plan Association, the state’s property insurer of last resort, covers residential and commercial properties located in brush and wildfire areas.

In the aftermath of a wildfire or other natural disaster, policyholders may have questions about the insurance process, including what is covered and what isn’t. Here are some answers to many of these common questions about home, auto, and other coverages.

Articles:

Tips for wildfire insurance claims

Insurance for wildfires

What is covered by standard homeowners insurance?

Renters insurance

Co-op or condo insurance

Mobile home insurance

Basic auto insurance

Boat insurance

Environmental liability insurance

Spoiled food

Mudslides often follow wildfire; prepare, know insurance implications

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Claims

After a disaster, you want to get back to normal as soon as possible, and your insurance company wants to help. You may get multiple checks from your insurer as you make temporary repairs, permanent repairs and replace damaged belongings. Here’s what you need to know about claims payments, including how to file a claim, what to expect during the process.

Articles:

The road to recovery: 3 key steps to simplify filing wildfire damage claims

Understanding the insurance claims payment process

How to file a homeowners claim

Understanding your insurance deductibles

How is the settlement amount determined?

What is a public adjuster?

How to file a wildfire claim in California

Videos:

Tips for wildfire insurance claimshttps://www.youtube.com/embed/MOfj5upT4Ak?enablejsapi=1&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.iii.org

Wildfire reality checkhttps://www.youtube.com/embed/zRTJX6iiExQ?enablejsapi=1&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.iii.org

Build for wildfire resiliencehttps://www.youtube.com/embed/mL-leDwiMWU?enablejsapi=1&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.iii.org

Wildfire evacuation: Insurance for additional living expenseshttps://www.youtube.com/embed/IsODX5qH-kw?enablejsapi=1&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.iii.org

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Feelings such as overwhelming anxiety, constant worrying, trouble sleeping, and other depression-like symptoms are common responses before, during, and after wildfires. Other signs of emotional distress related to wildfires include:

• Excessive absences from work or school
• Having thoughts, memories, or nightmares related to the wildfire that you can’t seem to get out of your head
• Worrying a lot of the time; feeling guilty but not sure why

Where Can I Get Help?

The Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH) is the first national hotline dedicated to providing year-round disaster crisis counseling. This toll-free, multilingual, crisis support service is available 24/7 to all residents in the U.S. and its territories who are experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters.

 Call or text 1-800-985-5990.

What to do

• Sniff for gas leaks before you turn on the power at home or inspect it.
• Enter with a battery powered flashlight to make sure you there is no ignition if there is a gas leak.
• Wear a mask rated N-95 or better while cleaning up. Take Two rated the most effective–and ineffective–masks to combat air pollution.
• Walk carefully. When ash gets wet, it can be slippery.
• Check for embers. Cal Fire suggests looking in the attic, rain gutters, on the roof, under decks, in crawlspaces and in any piles of debris for embers that might’ve floated in.
• Give your pets a bath to get rid of ash.
• Put on gloves, long pants and a long sleeve shirt.
• Throw away frozen food that might’ve thawed during a power outage. Also, throw away food that was not in airtight containers, but was exposed to the air, like food stored in cardboard boxes. According to the County Department of Health, food in sealed glass jars and metal cans should be safe. 
• Toss plastic bottles, like bottles of water, that have ash on the caps. According to the County Department of Health, rinsing off the bottle caps is not enough to decontaminate the containers.
• Put any ash you do collect into a plastic bag, so it doesn’t blow away.
• If using a generator, use an extension cord to plug appliances directly into generators — no power strips, just one appliance per outlet, to avoid an overload that could shut the generator down
• Take pictures and videos of all damages inside and outside of your home. This might be helpful for insurance purposes later.

What not to do

• Don’t turn on your electricity if you see any damage to your meter or you smell a gas leak.
• Don’t try to fix any damaged gas meters, gas lines or propane tanks. Instead, Cal Fire says to call your local utility provider. 
• Don’t touch any downed wires. Again, call your utility provider.
• Don’t let kids play in the ash, whether its dry or wet.
• Don’t let ash linger on your skin. If ash does get on your skin, wash it off using warm water and soap.
• Don’t eat the food in your refrigerator if there was a long power outage.
• Don’t kick up more ash into the air. That means avoid using your leaf blower to clean up the ash. Instead, the County Department of Health suggests sweeping the ash carefully, and then using a wet mop. 
• Don’t use too much water, though. As the County Department of Health explains, ash gets slippery when wet.
• Don’t use your average home vacuum cleaner to clean up ash unless it has a HEPA-filter. The Department of Health warns that regular vacuum cleaners will just blow the particles back into the air.
• Don’t plug a generator directly into your home’s electrical panel or power meter — the power can flow back out onto the wires on the street and give workers a bad shock.
• Don’t drink water from the taps till officials say its safe to do so.

Evacuation Orders 

• To see a map of Evacuation Orders, visit: protect.genasys.com.

Evacuation Warnings: 

• To see a map of Evacuation Warnings, visit: protect.genasys.com.

Evacuation Terminology Definitions

Shelter In Place: Go indoors. Shut and lock doors and windows. Prepare to self-sustain until further notice and/or contacted by emergency personnel for additional direction.

Evacuation Warning: Potential threat to life and/or property.  Those who require additional time to evacuate and those with pets and livestock should leave now.

Evacuation Order: Immediate threat to life. This is a lawful order to LEAVE NOW. The area is lawfully closed to public access.