After the fire: Part II
All homeowners should periodically have their insurance policies reviewed to make sure they have enough coverage. Consider this week's fires as a reminder to do just that and to conduct a photo or video inventory of your home. Such documentation will simplify the task should you have to file a disaster claim.
After a fire, flood or other disaster, some homeowners opt to work with an independent or public adjuster rather than directly with their insurance companies.
Your insurer may be cool on this idea -- such adjusters invariably come up with larger damage estimates than do insurance company adjusters. More information is available at the website of Policyholders of America, a nonprofit consumer group that advises homeowners on insurance matters. Click on "Wildfire Victims" on the home page.
Such adjusters typically earn 5% to 15% of homeowner settlements and must be licensed in California.
-- Lauren Beale
Thoughts? Comments?
Photo: The Sky Terrace Mobile Lodge in Lake View Terrace was a scene of utter devastation Monday in the wake of the Marek fire, driven by intense Santa Ana winds. Credit: Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times
We made a digital photo of all our "stuff" and posted it online for free on Google's photo website, Picassa. Since we checked the "private" box on the album, we don't worry about ayone checking out our belongings. It's free, offers ample storage space, is private, and easily accessible from any computer. I recommend using Picassa or the other on-line photo albums as a safe, easy, permanent way to inventory your "stuff".
Posted by: dan | October 14, 2008 at 08:59 AM
I know a guy in Porter Ranch who is upside down on his mortgage. He got a Option-ARM from Wamu that is set to recast next year. I don't think he would mind if his house burns.
Posted by: Lou | October 14, 2008 at 10:36 AM
This is a great idea. We had a toilet overflow last year and the entire first floor was gutted due to blackwater. Even though everything had been thrown into boxes in the garage, it was still virtually impossible to remember everything that was impacted.
Posted by: USC Okie | October 14, 2008 at 02:04 PM
Using a public adjuster for a total loss might not be necessary. Check out our handout to see if a public adjuster is right for you http://www.carehelp.org/downloads/handouts/Handout12-PublicAdjusterMayNOTbeYourBestChoice.pdf
We're a local non-profit who helps people better understand the insurance claim process.
Posted by: Lila | November 09, 2008 at 09:41 PM