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Once a policyholder is assigned a claims representative, the policyholder should store their insurance representative's name, email, and phone number, because that individual will serve as a "go to" contact for any questions, Riddle said, but she warned that those representatives may not always be helpful.

"They often push back, they often act as your adversary," she said. "Do not let them forget that you have a contract with them. They must treat you in good faith, and they must treat you fairly."

Tucker added that there's no educational requirement to work as an insurance representative, and each representative is usually assigned hundreds of claims. They're oftentimes not located in California, so they may be unfamiliar or surprised with certain cost-of-living expenses or prices that policyholders may submit for reimbursement, Tucker said.

After receiving the claim, insurers have 40 days to either accept or reject a claim, but insurers can inform policyholders if they need more time or if they need more information, Tucker said.

Tips on Understanding Insurance Policies

Once they have a copy of their policies, policyholders should read them and write down any questions to ask the insurance representative, according to the panelists.

There are four main categories of coverage under a typical homeowners policy: dwelling coverage; coverage for "other structures" — like detached garages, septic systems, sheds, gazebos, and hot tubs; personal property coverage; and "loss of use" coverage for living expenses when a homeowner is displaced, according to the panelists.

Riddle noted that there may be questions about which section of the policy certain items — like a pool — fall under, and insureds should ask their representative to clarify the policy in writing.

The panelists repeatedly underscored the importance of documenting all communications with insurance representatives, and Riddle suggested that if a company requires policyholders to communicate via an app on a smartphone, or through an online portal, policyholders should screenshot and store all exchanges in a file on a smartphone or computer so that they have their own record of the discussion in case it's inaccessible after logging out of the app or online portal.

The panelists also noted that fire victims should retain itemized copies of all receipts from restaurants, hotels, and any living expenses as they navigate the claims process, and take pictures of the receipts in case the ink fades over time.

What to Expect From Insurance Payouts

Insurance companies are required to provide policyholders at least four months of displacement expenses upfront for homes that are considered a "total loss" or uninhabitable. Insurers calculate that amount based on the monthly fair market value of the dwelling, or how much it would cost to rent your home for a month if it hadn't been damaged, according to panelists.