California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner hosted a town hall-style Insurance Recovery Forum for Tea Fire survivors last week in Santa Barbara. Poizner was joined by local, state and federal officials, as well as representatives from the insurance industry who answered specific insurance questions for fire victims. Since the wildfires broke out in Southern California in November, 5,151 residential and commercial property claims have been filed, and 718 of those claims are known to be total losses, with an estimated exposure for insurers of $637 million. More than $250 million has been paid out by insurers so far.
As a result of the Tea Fire, 793 residential and commercial property claims have been filed, and 217 of those claims are known to be total losses, with an estimated exposure for insurers of $281 million. Nearly $122 million has been paid out by insurers to Tea Fire survivors. Poizner has ordered his Department to continually monitor these numbers to make certain that insurers are meeting their obligations to pay all valid claims presented to them.
The Department's Consumer Services Division has received 60 consumer complaints from fire survivors. Seven of those complaints are from the Tea Fire. Two of the complaints from the Tea Fire are related to underinsurance. The remaining complaints include claim denial, claim delay and low settlement offers.
Poizner will continue to monitor the wildfire recovery efforts, assist consumers with complaints and make sure that insurance companies are fulfilling their legal obligations to customers. He will also continue to host Insurance Recovery Forums in the communities impacted by the recent wildfires. Poizner hosted an Insurance Recovery Forum for Sayre Fire survivors on Jan. 7, and will host a Forum for Triangle Fire survivors on Feb. 4.
.jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment