County: Butte, CA | Incident: Park Fire |

Resource Type: Legal Assistance

Butte County – Park Fire – Insurance Information and Assistance

California Department of Insurance

Provides resources, tips, and actions to help homeowners and businesses who are affected by wildfires.

For questions, to file a complaint, or to get the latest insurance-related news, visit: https://bit.ly/3LibqMO or call 1-800-927-4357 (1-800-482-4833 TTY)

For more information, Call Department of Insurance 800-927-4357 Mon-Fri or use chat option on website at https://www.insurance.ca.gov/

Link to NSPR news story https://bit.ly/ParkFireInsurance

Mandatory One Year Moratorium

Mandatory One Year Moratorium on Non-Renewals
Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, while serving as state senator, authored Senate Bill 824 (2018). This important consumer protection law requires a mandatory one-year moratorium on insurance companies canceling or non-renewing residential insurance policies in certain areas within or adjacent to a fire perimeter after a declared state of emergency is issued by the Governor.

How the moratorium works
Following a Governor declaration of a state of emergency, the Department of Insurance partners with CAL-FIRE and the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services to identify wildfire perimeters and adjacent ZIP codes within the mandatory moratorium areas. The protection from cancellation or non-renewal lasts for one year from the date of the Governor’s emergency declaration. This one-year protection applies to all residential policyholders within the affected areas who suffer less than a total loss, including those who suffer no loss. Those who suffer a total loss have additional protections under the law.

Find out if you are protected
To find out if your zip code is included, visit https://bit.ly/46WYd5R

If your ZIP code is included in the moratorium and you received a notice of cancellation or non-renewal for wildfire risk, you should contact your insurance company to seek a reinstatement of the policy. If your insurance company refuses, you are encouraged to contact us and file a Request for Assistance.

2024 Wildfires
July 30, 2024 Declaration (Borel Fire in Kern County)
July 26, 2024 Declaration (Gold Complex Fire in Plumas County and Park Fire in Butte and Tehama Counties)
July 3, 2024 Declaration (Thompson Fire in Butte County)

United Policyholders

2024 California Wildfires – Insurance Claim and Recovery Help: https://uphelp.org/disaster-recovery-help/2024cawildfires/

Offers instruction on how to navigate insurance claims for fire survivors. 

Roadmap to Recovery

Assists disaster survivors navigating the insurance process and rebuilding after a disaster. 

Services include:

  • Educational Resources: Guides, tips, and videos on insurance and recovery.
  • Workshops and Webinars: Events with expert advice on the recovery process.
  • One-on-One Assistance: Personalized help with insurance claims and rebuilding.

Visit uphelp.org/recovery/ for more information

Survivor to Survivor Forum

  • Offers a monthly virtual meeting for fire survivors about how to recover after a wildfire. Meetings are led by individuals who have navigated recovery or are in the process of recovering from previous fires themselves. 
  • Every third Tuesday of the month. Visit uphelp.org/events to view upcoming events.
  • Registration is required. To register visit uphelp.org/events, click on the upcoming Survivor to Survivor Forum event, then click the ‘Register’ button, fill out the registration form, then click the blue ‘Register’ button at the bottom of the page. A confirmation email with a link to the Zoom meeting will be sent to all registered participants 

Legal Services of Northern California

Provides free legal assistance to low-income individuals and families affected by the Park Fire. LSNC can help with disaster related legal issues including:

  • Government assistance/disaster related benefits, 
  • Replacement of prescriptions or medical equipment, 
  • Housing & renter rights, job/employment impacts,
  • Mortgage lender disaster questions
  • Legal requirements during rebuilding
  • Replacing legal documents lost in the fire
  • Insurance claims
  • Homeowner remedies
  • And other issues

If you have legal questions as a result of the Park Fire, please call 1-800-660-3458, email disasterhelp@lsnc.net or submit a request for help online at: www.tfaforms.com/5061669

Western Fire Chiefs Association

Homeowners insurance can provide coverage for wildfires, but it’s important to understand the specifics of your policy. Here’s what you need to know:

  • Filing a Claim: contact insurance and provide details about the fire, including the date, time, location, and description of damages
  • Documentation: provide documentation such as photos or videos of the damage, a detailed inventory of your belongings, and any receipts or appraisals for valuable items.
  • Claim Processing Time: 90-120 days.
  • Coverage Limit:  depends on the terms and limits stated in policy
  • Additional Living Expenses (ALE) Coverage: to assist with temporary housing, meals, and other living expenses if home becomes uninhabitable due to a covered event
  • Upfront Funds: covers immediate needs, such as temporary housing or clothing

For more information, visit: https://bit.ly/4f5NDgK