What makes wildfire claims different
After a large fire, insurers handle thousands of claims at once. Adjusters change, estimates are written from desks, and deadlines quietly pass. Meanwhile, labor and materials costs in the burn area climb as everyone tries to rebuild at the same time.
We help policyholders document the full loss, challenge estimates that ignore real local rebuild costs, and hold the insurer to every benefit the policy promises, from dwelling and other structures to contents, debris removal, landscaping and additional living expenses.
Problems we see often
- Dwelling estimates that fall short of contractor bids
- Contents paid at depreciated value with little explanation
- Additional living expense benefits cut off too early
- Smoke-damaged homes outside the burn line treated as 'clean'
- Requests for the same documents again and again
What you can do now
- Request a complete, certified copy of your policy and all endorsements
- Keep a written log of every call, email and adjuster name
- Save receipts for every displacement expense
- Photograph what remains before cleanup or demolition when it is safe to do so
- Don't sign a final release until someone you trust has reviewed it
Questions we hear
Do I have to accept the insurer's rebuild estimate?
No. An insurer's estimate is a starting position, not the final word. Independent contractor bids and expert input often show a very different cost to rebuild.
My home survived but smells of smoke. Is that covered?
Smoke, soot and ash damage can be covered even when the fire never reached the structure. Coverage depends on your policy, so it's worth having it reviewed.