PRESS RELEASE
October 26, 2007
Following Rebuilding Process Correctly Essential to Insurance, FEMA Assistance
SAN DIEGO – Supervisor Pam Slater-Price called for fire victims to proceed through the rebuilding process with caution and not jeopardize their insurance claims or FEMA assistance.
Yesterday, many Rancho Bernardo residents and others in the burned areas of the Witch fire indicated that they wanted to begin clearing their land immediately.
However, clearing land ahead of filing an insurance claim, which may require an insurance official to survey the property as it is, may void insurance coverage.
“There is a right and wrong way to proceed with the rebuilding process and we don’t want anyone to make costly errors,” Slater-Price said. “And the first and most crucial step is calling their insurance companies and filing a claim, which will require an inventory of the land.”
After the insurance company takes an inventory of the property, which includes landscaping and cars, then residents in the unincorporated area must also be cleared by a County damage assessment team.
Filing an insurance claim will also release any temporary housing assistance to which the homeowner may be entitled. Insurance companies may also reimburse displaced homeowners for other expenses.
“Anyone in the burned areas, regardless of whether your home burned down or not, should file an insurance claim,” Slater-Price said. “Smoke and flame damage may be covered by insurance.”
Once residents are allowed to clear their land, the County will have dumpsters placed throughout the fire damaged areas.
Residents with potentially hazardous materials to clean up, such as cleaning products, paint, batteries, gasoline, and fuel, are encouraged to call for information on how to properly dispose of the materials. Unincorporated areas residents call (877) 713-2784, North County city residents call (800) 714-1195 and City of San Diego residents call (858) 694-7000.
On Wednesday, the county Board of Supervisors declared a state of emergency and took action to waive building permit fees, as well as expedite rebuilding permits.
For more fire recovery information, visit www.sdcountyrecovery.com.
