📋 Tender Overview
Thousands of residents across California who have been ordered to evacuate due to wildfires may have homeowners or renters insurance coverage to help with evacuation and relocation costs even if their homes are not damaged or destroyed.With more than 367 wildfires sweeping the state I want evacuees to know additional living expense coverage can be available to help ease the financial burden of mandatory evacuations said Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara. Residents who have been evacuated should contact their insurance agent or the Department of Insurance to find out what their renters or homeowners policy covers and other resources that may be available to them while the mandatory evacuation orders are in place.Many homeowners are unaware that they may have coverage under their homeowners and renters insurance policies to help them with evacuation and recovery expenses. Additional living expense coverage known as ALE typically includes food and housing costs furniture rental relocation and storage and extra transportation expenses.Insurance Commissioner Lara urges evacuees to contact their insurance company to verify their ALE coverage provision and limits and learn about requirements to use the coverage. It is critical to keep all receipts and document the date time and names of any insurance company employees you speak to regarding your coverage and details of the conversation.Commissioner Lara continues to look at all options to assist wildfire survivors and evacuees including his sponsorship this year of Senate Bill 872 authored by Senator Bill Dodd which expands the scope of ALE coverage in homeowners insurance policies after a declared wildfire emergency clarifies policyholder rights if the policyholder decides to relocate rather than rebuild the destroyed home and adopts other meaningful consumer protections to help ease the burden for homeowners and renters as they rebuild their homes and lives after a major catastrophic event.
