To our Pacific Palisades neighbors,

my heart goes out to you as you navigate the devastating aftermath of the recent fire. This has been an incredibly difficult time for so many, and while there’s no way to truly replace what has been lost, we hope this information can help you take the next steps toward rebuilding and recovery. Handling insurance claims can feel overwhelming during such an emotional time, but taking the right steps now can make all the difference in the support you receive.

Here are six essential pieces of advice, generously provided by attorney, Ted Nguyen, to help you through this process:

1. Hire a Public Adjuster

A public adjuster works for you, not the insurance company. They are skilled at negotiating claims and often secure higher payouts than the adjusters provided by your insurer, who may aim to minimize payouts. Having a professional advocate on your side is worth considering to ensure you receive what you deserve.

2. State Your Intent to Rebuild

Let the insurance company know you plan to rebuild, even if you’re undecided. This approach can prompt the insurer to take your claim more seriously and may unlock additional coverage specific to rebuilding costs.

3. Document Losses with Photos and Videos

Before creating your inventory of lost items, take photos and videos of all affected areas. Visual documentation is invaluable in backing up your claim and helps ensure you don’t overlook anything when listing your losses. This step can save you a lot of time and hassle during the claims process.

4. Itemize Your Losses Room by Room

When creating an inventory of what you’ve lost, go room by room. This method ensures a more thorough list, helping you avoid missing smaller items that can add up in value. The more detailed your documentation, the stronger your claim will be.

5. Save Receipts for Additional Living Expenses

Keep records of any expenses you incur due to displacement or the loss, such as temporary housing, meals, or other necessities. These are often covered under your policy’s additional living expenses clause. Receipts are key to being reimbursed.

6. Take FEMA’s Debris Removal Offer

If FEMA offers to clear debris from your property, it’s generally a good idea to accept, unless there’s a unique feature on your land (e.g., a septic system or other sensitive elements). Declining could leave you with the burden of covering debris removal costs later, which can be costly and difficult to recoup.

So understand that by allowing FEMA to have access to your property you are creating a binding agreement without an expiration date to allow them access. If you do get compensated in the end FEMA may come back to collect a cost for the clean up work. Be sure to read any terms in the contract and understand them prior to acceptance. 

This has been a challenging time for our community, but together we will rebuild and move forward. While these tips provide a solid foundation, every situation is unique, and it’s always wise to seek expert advice tailored to your circumstances.

A heartfelt thank you to Ted Nguyen for sharing this invaluable advice. I, "REAL" Barkley-Romero am not an attorney nor offering any legal advice and encourage you to consult an attorney for further counsel. If you have questions or need additional resources, please don’t hesitate to reach out.