If a fire victim has any questions about whether they qualify for FEMA payments, they should meet a FEMA representative in person, the panelists added.
“Be 100% transparent about what your coverage is,” Paletz said. “You don’t want to mess around with it — they will charge you with misdemeanors — and get it all in writing.”
Tips on Submitting Insurance Claims
Anyone whose home has been damaged by the fires, regardless of the extent of the damage, should immediately file claims with every insurance provider they have, including policies for auto insurance, homeowners insurance, business insurance, renters insurance, and boat insurance, as well as supplemental insurance, according to the panelists. That’s because some policies have unusual provisions that may cover some losses, they said.
Once a claim is filed, insurance companies are legally required to respond within 15 days, and that’s true for any questions a policyholder might have, according to Riddle. The insurance company will then assign the policyholder an insurance representative, and if an insurance provider isn’t responding timely, fire victims should tell their insurance agent who sold them their policy, because they tend to have clout and can speed up the process, Paletz said.
