Commissioner Lara urges insurance companies to cover reimbursement costs for those displaced during wildfires Roy / Wednesday, September 9, 2020 / Categories: DOI, Fire Claims California Department of Insurance News: 2020 Press Release For Release: September 3, 2020 Media Calls Only: 916-492-3566 Email Inquiries: cdipress@insurance.ca.gov Commissioner Lara urges insurance companies to cover reimbursement costs for those displaced during wildfires LOS ANGELES, Calif. — To assist Californians displaced by the current and recent wildfires throughout the state, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara issued a Notice to all California property and casualty insurance companies urging them to cover Additional Living Expenses (ALE) for those policyholders who remain under mandatory evacuation or whose homes are otherwise inaccessible or uninhabitable due to the wildfires. "When people are told to get out of harm’s way by first responders, they should be able to access insurance benefits, not be forced to pay out of pocket for necessary emergency costs when they are still under evacuation orders or without water or power," said Commissioner Lara. "While I have sponsored legislation to address this issue, people need help now to recover from these devastating fires." All homeowners’ insurance policies provide benefits for loss of use or ALE to cover the extra costs associated with temporary lodging, transportation, clothing, and other necessities caused by a covered peril, such as a wildfire, that renders the home uninhabitable or inaccessible. Homeowners’ insurance policies also cover ALE if access to the home is restricted in cases where a civil authority has issued mandatory evacuation orders from the recent and ongoing wildfires impacting most of the state. Tags FireDOICalifornia More links Commissioner Lara urges insurance companies to cover reimbursement costs for those displaced during wildfires Source of the above Continuation of Additional Living Expense (ALE) Benefits Due to Inaccessible/Uninhabitable Homes or Mandatory Evacuations Still in Effect as a Result of Wildfires Direct Link to the Notice listed in the News Release above Wildfire evacuees may be eligible for cost reimbursement from their insurance company Related DOI News Release Related articles Atmospheric River Brings Dangerous Flash Flooding and Heavy Mountain Snow to Central and Southern California Hawaii Declaration from the State Insurance Commissioner regarding assistance of nonresident independent adjusters due to fires across the state Magnitude 6.0 Earthquake in California S.C. Private Flood Insurance Act Enacted, Aims to Make Flood Insurance More Accessible Commissioner Donelon Reminds Policyholders They Are Subject to Only One Hurricane Deductible Per Season Comment Collapse Expand Comments (0) warning You don't have permission to post comments.