What Is the Wildfire Personal Belonging Claims Process? 

What Is the Wildfire Personal Belonging Claims Process? 

  • The Fee Is Free Unless You Win®.
  • America's Largest Injury Law Firm™
  • Protecting Families Since 1988
  • 20 Billion+ Won
  • 1,000+ Lawyers Nationwide

Free Case Evaluation

Tell us about your situation so we can get started fighting for you. We tailor each case to meet our clients' needs.
Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Our results speak for themselves

The attorneys featured above are licensed in Florida. For a full list of attorneys in your state please visit our attorney page.

What Is the Wildfire Personal Belonging Claims Process? 

Wildfires cause massive amounts of damage each year. In recent years, wildfire damage has rapidly escalated in some areas of the country. This concerning trend is often the result of drier weather and warmer climates.
 
In some cases, wildfires have damaged entire neighborhoods and devastated local communities. In the wake of a wildfire, victims may feel hopeless and overwhelmed. After all, it can be emotionally devastating when a fire destroys much or all of what you own.
 
If you hold certain types of insurance policies, you may know that you are owed compensation for the personal belongings that were lost in a wildfire. But most people do not have experience with wildfire belongings claims until disaster strikes.
 
When you have lost personal belongings to a wildfire, do not panic. Contact a skilled legal professional as soon as possible. An accomplished lawyer can help you to effectively file wildfire belongings claims. 

Below, we will examine some of the most important elements of the personal belongings claims process.
 
When you need the best legal representation, look no further. Contact Morgan & Morgan to ensure the best outcome possible in your case. We have a long history of securing positive results for our clients.
 
We know that wildfire victims have plenty of challenges to handle. That is why we offer a no-cost case evaluation so that we can examine the circumstances of your wildfire claim. To schedule your consultation, fill out the user-friendly contact form on our website. 

Common Causes of Wildfires

Most wildfires are caused by people. Some estimates suggest that up to 85% are the result of human action. 
 
Wildfires can start because hikers fail to adequately extinguish a campfire. Throwing a lit cigarette out of a car window can cause a fire. There are innumerable scenarios that can produce wildfires.
 
But other fires are the result of environmental changes and trends from indirect human action. This is evidenced by the increasing severity of wildfires in many parts of the United States.
 
Some environmental factors that increase the likelihood of wildfires include:

Hotter Temperatures

Research shows that global temperature increase has caused double the number of acres to burn annually when compared with the 1980s.
 
Hotter temperatures mean more evaporation. As a result, the land becomes drier. Drier air and land can make trees and other plant material more likely to burn. 

Short Winters

Long, wet winters are a crucial source of environmental protections against wildfires. As winters become shorter, there will be a longer window of time each year in which fires are possible.

Drought

Less rainfall leads to dryer conditions overall. In addition to hotter temperatures, droughts make wildfires much more likely to start and to become dangerous.

Pests

Some types of insects can survive through the shorter winters brought on by climate change. Some of these pests nest inside of trees.
 
Because they are no longer subject to long winters, these pests can cause trees to die. This leads to more dead and dry wood, making wildfires more powerful. 

What Can an Attorney Do for You?

Even if you are planning to file a claim for personal belongings that you lost in a wildfire, you may be unsure about the ways that an attorney can help. Many claimants believe that they can simply file a claim through their insurance carrier and receive the money that they need.
 
Sadly, this is not always the case. Insurance providers are not working in your best financial interests. 
 
The priority of insurance companies is their financial bottom lines. They are motivated to minimize the payout on every claim that is filed. 
 
Because of this, insurance adjusters are trained to manipulate claimants into undermining or devaluing their own cases. Do not let this happen to you! 
 
When you hire an accomplished attorney, they will negotiate with the relevant insurance provider on your behalf. This will help you to avoid the possibility of an inadequate settlement.
 
Having a lawyer speak on your behalf lets the insurance company know that you mean business. While victims need to file wildfire belongings claims, they do not have to do it alone. 

Steps in the Wildfire Belongings Claims Process 

Minor home fires are incredibly frustrating and challenging. It is usually expensive to replace the property that was damaged or destroyed.
 
Major fires often result in life-altering consequences. Many victims lose everything they own. 
 
No matter how severe the fire may be, most homeowner’s insurance policies should help you to recover the money you need to get your life back on track.
 
Consider the following steps to make filing wildfire belongings claims easier. 

Prepare a Copy of Your Insurance Policy  

Preparation is a crucial tool in responding to wildfire damage. If you know that you are in an area that is prone to wildfires, take some preparatory steps.
 
Keep your important documents in a single location. It is a good idea to prepare a fire safe with your most sensitive paperwork, including your insurance policy information.
 
In the case of an emergency, grab your documents before fleeing your home.  

Images of Your Belongings 

Another useful preparation strategy is to take pictures of your home and your belongings. Make sure to store these digitally on a cloud-based service. 
 
If any of your electronic devices are damaged or destroyed in the wildfire, you will have photographic documentation of your property. When you file an insurance claim, these photos can serve as evidence of the items that need to be replaced.
 
It is important to report your claim quickly and with the help of an accomplished attorney. 

Understand Your Insurance Policy 

Many homeowners and renters are unsure about the details of the things that their insurance policy covers. Make yourself familiar with the stipulations of your insurance policy. 
 
This will help you to accurately anticipate the types of claims that you can file. Fortunately, most standard homeowner’s insurance policies cover the damages from fires. These damages may include contamination or destruction of property from smoke, ash, or flames. 
 
However, some exceptions can exist. It is vital to be aware of any exceptions that apply to your policy. 
 
Consider the following example. If your home is within 2,500 feet of an area that is at high-risk for fires, you may need to secure extra coverage to protect against wildfire damage. 
 
Some homeowners and renters who live in high-risk locations are unable to get fire damage coverage.
 
Typically, however, homeowner’s insurance policies will cover the following:

Dwelling Coverage

This type of coverage is intended to reimburse you for any damage to your garage, tool shed, deck, porch, or the main structure of your home.

Personal Property Coverage

This is the type of coverage that you will need when you file wildfire belongings claims. Personal property policies cover damage to clothing, electronics, furniture, appliances, and miscellaneous items. 
 
Understanding the types of coverage that you have will help you to file the right type of claim. 

Have the Damage Inspected 

In some wildfire cases, the insurance company will want to inspect your home and belongings to document the damage. 
 
If your insurance provider will not provide an investigator, you will likely have the option to hire one independently. When you are looking for someone to perform a damage assessment, make sure that they have a track record of inspecting homes damaged by wildfires.
 
Qualified field testers can check for damage from:

  • Flame
  • Smoke
  • Carbon
  • Ash
  • Soot
  • And more

The results of this investigation can impact the amount of recovery that you receive. In many cases, it is a good idea to get a second opinion regarding the value of your belongings.
 
If you have any questions about this process, make sure to speak with a skilled attorney.  

Find Temporary Accommodations 

If your home is uninhabitable because of fire damage, you will need to find a place to stay. Sometimes, homeowner’s insurance policies will provide for these types of additional living expenses.
 
Additional living expense coverage can compensate for hotel bills and the cost of meals for a set period of time. This type of coverage will be relevant if you cannot stay in your home as the result of wildfire damage.
 
No matter what the circumstances of your claim may be, talk with an accomplished lawyer to make sure that you receive maximum recovery. 

Scroll down for more
FAQ

Get answers to commonly asked questions about our legal services and learn how we may assist you with your case.

Wildfire Personal Belonging Claims Process FAQs

  • Why Are Lawyers Helpful in Wildfire Damages Claims?

    In the aftermath of a wildfire, most people feel overwhelmed. An experienced attorney will answer any questions that you have regarding the property damage claims process.
     
    They will also guide you along every step of the way. A legal representative will be working in your best interests to ensure that you get all the money that you deserve.
     
    An attorney will have plenty of experience negotiating with uncooperative or manipulative insurance adjusters, too. 
     
    Most wildfire victims are not familiar with the potential pitfalls of the claims process. That is why it is important to contact one of the skilled attorneys at Morgan & Morgan.

  • Can You Guarantee That My Case Will Be Successful?

    Unfortunately, there are no guarantees in the legal claims process. Be wary of any lawyer or firm who promises that they can win your case.
     
    Rather than empty promises, the accomplished team at Morgan & Morgan offers years of trustworthy experience. We have successfully negotiated and tried more than a million cases. 
     
    As a result, we have secured over $20 billion dollars in compensation for victims. When you hire Morgan & Morgan, you are getting the best. 

  • Is My Case Evaluation Really Free?

    Yes, it really is! At Morgan & Morgan, we understand the financial pressure and worry that wildfire victims face. We care deeply about our clients and want what is best for them. That is why we provide a no-cost initial case evaluation.
     
    During this initial meeting, we will examine the facts of your case and help you determine the best course of action for you to move forward. 

  • Morgan & Morgan Is Ready to Fight for You 

    When you need the most reliable legal representation available, look no further. Morgan & Morgan is America’s largest injury firm. Our lawyers have the skills and experience necessary to deliver top results for our clients.
     
    For personal injury cases, you will not pay a single dime unless we recover financial compensation for you. To schedule a free legal consultation, complete our easy-to-use contact form online. 
     
    Let the professionals at Morgan & Morgan fight for you!

Scroll down for more Load More

How it works

It's easy to get started.
The Fee Is Free Unless You Win®.

Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.

  • Step 1

    Submit
    your claim

    With a free case evaluation, submitting your case is easy with Morgan & Morgan.

  • Step 2

    We take
    action

    Our dedicated team gets to work investigating your claim.

  • Step 3

    We fight
    for you

    If we take on the case, our team fights to get you the results you deserve.

Settlement

$40,000,000

Customer Story

“I was in a difficult situation when I was injured by a faulty product. I was hesitant to seek legal help but with the help of Morgan & Morgan, they made the process easy. They took immediate action and got me the compensation I deserved. I couldn't have done it without them. I highly recommend their services.” Estate of Patricia Allen v. RJ Reynolds, et al. | 2014

Client success
stories that inspire and drive change

Explore over 55,000 5-star reviews and 800 client testimonials to discover why people trust Morgan & Morgan.

Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances. Based on Select nationwide reviews

  • Video thumbnail for 5l3q2e67j8
    Wistia video play button
  • Video thumbnail for yfe952tcop
    Wistia video play button
  • Video thumbnail for z1bqwg9hkl
    Wistia video play button
  • Video thumbnail for s5nb3hnvkv
    Wistia video play button
  • Video thumbnail for t4elibxene
    Wistia video play button
  • Video thumbnail for 5nr9efxqj3
    Wistia video play button
  • Video thumbnail for e8s1x6u5jp
    Wistia video play button