This article was written in response to the wildfires in South Lake Tahoe and Southern California in the Summer and Fall of 2007.
I lost my home in the 1991 Oakland firestorm. As
such, my heart goes out to the residents of Southern
California and South Lake Tahoe whose homes were
damaged or destroyed, to the firefighters and others
who have risked and are risking their lives, as well
as to the community, which will also experience the
aftermath of such a devastating experience. I also am
an attorney who specializes in handling insurance claims
for policyholders and had the stress and challenges
of handling my own claim with my insurer, as well as
assisting many other Oakland firestorm survivors in the
handling of their claims.
Those whose homes were damaged or destroyed in
the 2007 fires will face many challenges in the coming
days and months — temporary shelter, replacement
of necessary items, disruption of their lives caused
by having to relocate, and the repair and rebuilding
of their lives and homes. I would like to offer some
professional as well as personal advice in the hope I
can be of some assistance.
Likely none of you have read your homeowners insurance
policies previously. I am embarrassed to say that I had
not read mine prior to the Oakland firestorm and I am,
as they say, in the business. Do not be surprised when
you attempt to read your policies if you have difficulty
understanding them, despite recitations and claims of
being written in “plain English” or “easy to read” format.
Please keep in mind that even professionals do not
agree on every interpretation and no one is born with
an innate understanding of insurance or how to pursue
their personal insurance claim.
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