Hill Side on fire near homes

Fire Damage Coverage and What To Do After A Fire

By the Mercury Team

Whether it’s the rolling hills of the Paso Robles wine country or the sandy beaches and oceanfront of Newport Beach, California is a wonderful place to live. But while the climate is perfect for comfortable living and outdoor fun and adventure, the dry summers present ideal conditions for wildfires.

Every year California residents face the possibility of a wildfire devastating their community. According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the state experienced 6,284 wildfires that burned 876,147 acres in 2018. Even worse, the agency reported over 100 people lost their lives due to the fires.

In the event of damage to your home from a wildfire, you might ask yourself, “Does California homeowners insurance cover wildfires?” Mercury insurance has the answers and can help your family get through a difficult time.

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Wildfires?

Homeowners insurance is a type of insurance that specifically covers your home and helps with the cost of replacing and repairing your property. Homeowners insurance typically offers protection for your home and its contents in the event of fire, wind and lightning damage or theft.

Having a detailed inventory list of your belongings and assets can make the process of filing a claim much easier. Some insurance companies may not offer homeowners insurance if your property is within a certain proximity of brush and most homeowners insurance policies have general exclusions on certain types of fires, such as those that start as a result of war or nuclear risks.

What To Do After a House Fire

Unexpected events that cause property damage can be devastating. Mercury Insurance strives to provide compassionate, unrivaled service when a fire causes displacement or loss of your treasured belongings.

Here are a few tips that will help with the claims process in the event your home suffers fire damage.

  • Immediately contact Mercury Insurance to report your loss.
  • Don’t touch any debris or damaged property that may be related to your claim.
  • Write a detailed inventory of destroyed or damaged property.
  • If you have them, provide your insurance adjuster with photos or video of your home and possessions.
  • Keep records and receipts for additional living expenses if the fire forced you to leave your home.

After filing a claim, your insurance adjuster will arrive at your house and conduct an in-depth inspection. Their job is to assess the fire damage and provide a realistic estimate of the costs of rebuilding or repairing your home. In the unfortunate case your home is totally destroyed, the claims process may be even more expedited.

To ensure a smooth process when dealing with your insurance adjuster after a house fire, be sure to document everything the fire damaged, and do not throw away any ruined possessions. Lastly, cover damaged walls, doors, windows and roofs with plastic sheeting or plywood after the insurance adjustor concludes the inspection.

As with any other claim, Mercury Insurance customers can file fire-related claims 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling Mercury’s Claims Hotline at (800) 503-3724. Be sure to speak with your Mercury agent to find out if you need additional coverage to protect your home in the event of a natural disaster.

Mercury Team

The Mercury Marketing Team is made up of professionals in the fields of Content Creation, Public Relations and Social Media. The team works together to deliver professionally written and researched content to provide information for consumers.

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