Tips for handling insurance claims after a disaster

The trauma begins with an evacuation order.

After rounding up your medications, personal documents, laptop, family photos and making your escape, you then spend endless, helpless hours worrying about whether your home will survive.

Then, comes the unspeakable horror of learning your home has burned down. And that’s just the beginning of what can be a years-long process of recovering from a wildfire.

Insurance officials say the claims process goes through a succession of stages, from the initial dislocation to debris removal, a bidding process and, ultimately, reconstruction.

“There are decisions you need to make right now, and things that need to happen in the days and weeks ahead,” said Michael Soller, a spokesman for the state Department of Insurance.

RELATED: Southern California wildfires add to growing worries about homeowner insurance

Here are tips for homeowners for dealing with insurance after disaster strikes.

— Get a copy of your insurance policy: if you are unable to grab it in the frenzy of fleeing, request it from the insurance company.

They have to provide it within 30 days, Soller said.

— Know your coverage: talk with your agent and ask how much is covered.

Be specific, finding out how much coverage you have to rebuild or repair your home, how much for your personal belongings and how much for living expenses.

— Track your living expenses: if you’re under an evacuation order, save all your receipts for food, gasoline, hotel bills or rentals.

You may be able to make a claim for reimbursement of evacuation and relocation costs under Additional Living Expenses, or ALE, coverage. You can make this claim even if your home isn’t damaged.

Most renter’s policies also include ALE coverage.

— Document everything: keep a claims diary. Write down every conversation with your insurance company and your adjuster.

— Take your time during the reconstruction process: don’t be pressured into signing any documents, accepting an insurance settlement or accepting a limited number of bids. Get as many bids as you can.

“Please do not sign any documents under duress, and be wary of out-of-state adjusters making false promises,” state Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara said in a statement.

Soller warned against relying on insurance company cost estimates. Because of a surge of demand after a disaster, your actual costs could be higher.

— Consider relocating: under a 2020 law, homeowners can get their full replacement cost benefits if they decide to rebuild in a new location.

For more detailed tips, visit the Insurance Department website: bit.ly/Top10ClaimTips