If a California home is damaged or destroyed, the property owner may be able to recoup some or all of the cost of repairing it. It may also be possible to obtain compensation for items inside of the home that were lost or damaged in a flood or fire. Individuals are encouraged to read their insurance policies before filing claims. Those who don’t have a copy of their policies can generally obtain them from their insurance agents.
In some cases, property owners will be entitled to recoup the cost of renting hotel rooms or boarding their pets while their homes are being repaired. Typically, policyholders are reimbursed for these and other eligible expenses when they make their claims. Individuals should take pictures of any damaged items that were in their homes when an incident occurred. Doing so may help to determine whether an insurance company should be required to pay to salvage those items or replace them completely.
Generally, homeowners are required to clear debris away from their homes, and the cost of doing so is often covered in a homeowners insurance policy. Local government agencies may provide debris removal assistance programs in the aftermath of a natural disaster. Property owners can expect to have their homes and other items repaired or replaced within 24 months of filing their claims.
Individuals who want to avoid a bad faith insurance claim process may be able to do so by contacting an attorney. Doing so may protect them against attempts to improperly interpret the wording of a policy or any other steps taken in an effort to deny a claim. An attorney may be able to help a person learn more about filing a claim as well as take steps to ensure it’s processed in a timely manner.
