On August 19th, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara issued a mandatory one-year moratorium (from July 16, 2021) on insurance companies from non-renewing or cancelling residential property insurance policies within the specified areas due to the Governor’s July 16 emergency declaration. This action helps more than 25,000 policyholders who have been affected by the devastating Lava Fire and the Beckwourth Complex Fire in the counties of Siskiyou, Plumas, and Lassen. That includes more than 20,000 consumers who were already covered under last year’s moratorium, effectively extending their protection for several more months. See if your zip code is included here.

Additionally, in another release, wildfire evacuees could be eligible for expenses under their current insurance policy. Residents across California who have been ordered to evacuate due to wildfires may have homeowner or renter insurance to help with evacuation and relocation costs under Additional Living Expenses coverage, known as ALE. ALE coverage typically includes food and housing costs, furniture rental, relocation and storage, and extra transportation expenses. For more see their release here. 

If you would like to help, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to the C.A.R. Disaster Relief Fund, which provides grants of up to $5,000 to help members of the California REALTOR^® family who have incurred substantial loss due to the wildfires or other natural disasters. Learn more or donate here.