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Thank you Goli for sharing this important information for those effected by the fires: From an insurance professional. Please share with whoever you need to or use for yourself if needed WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE SUFFERED FIRE DAMAGE TO YOUR HOME: -Contact your insurance company and file a claim as soon as possible. ... -Save receipts for every expense from this point forward. This includes meals or hotels even toiletries. Everything. -Most homeowners insurance policies have coverage for Additional Living Expense which pays for an apartment or rental home while the home is being rebuilt. These are the first steps. The insurance company will likely send an adjuster out to meet with you and prepare an estimate of rebuilding. Due to the magnitude of these fires, it may be an independent adjuster that works from a different company than your insurance company. Have them show you their ID and show proof they are a representative of YOUR insurance company. You will also eventually need to make a list of all your destroyed personal property. On that list you will need to write each item, the age of each item, and today’s replacement cost of each item. It’s easier to separate the list into the rooms of the home. My advice is to take your time with the list to make sure every little thing is on it. Unless the policy limits are exhausted then there is no point to be so detailed. Another important piece of advice is to not sign ANYTHING from people that may represent themselves as adjusters, public adjusters, insurance representatives, or private adjusters. You have just experienced the most devastating things a person can face. These people work on a percentage of your overall insurance settlement which means if you have coverage for $500,000.00 (for example) and you reach that limit (which is likely)- After the public adjuster takes their cut (usually 20% or more) - You will only get a fraction of what will be needed to rebuild. Also, some of your Additional Living Expenses may be reduced because of this. You need all you can while the rebuilding process in taking place. Rebuilding a home in the situation you are in may take 12-14 months at best due to the many people needing to rebuild, permitting process, etc.. To repeat: DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING. Your insurance company had you sign the policy contract when you purchased it. They will not have you sign anything to start or handle your claim. I hope this helps at least one of you. To report a claim: Farmers 800-435-7764 State Farm 800-782-8332 Allstate 800-255-7828 AAA 800-222-4357 Liberty Mutual 617-357-9500 Nationwide 800-421-3535 CIG -Capital Insurance Group - 800-986-9974 ANPAC - 800-333-2860 Zurich - 800-987-3373 Travelers - 800-252-4633 Safeco - 800-332-3226 USAA - 800-531-8722 Liberty Mutual - 844-825-2467 MetLife - 800-854-6011 Amica - 800-242-6422 See more

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