What to Do After a Wildfire in California
After a wildfire, your family and safety matter most. When you are ready, a few steps can protect your recovery — including a path many people do not know about: a claim against the utility.
Take care of your family first
Your safety, health, and immediate needs come before anything else. Get care for injuries or smoke effects, and use the disaster resources available to you.
Document what you lost
As you are able, photograph the damage and keep a running list of what was lost. Old photos, receipts, and records help establish value, and the list can be built over time.
Understand the two paths
There are two separate ways to recover: your own insurance, based on your policy, and a claim against the utility that caused the fire, which can seek losses beyond your policy limits. You may have both.
Keep every displacement receipt
Save receipts for temporary housing, meals, and replacing essentials. These displacement costs are recoverable and add up quickly.
Ask about the utility claim
If utility equipment may be linked to the fire, a free, confidential conversation can explain how a claim against the utility fits with your insurance recovery.
Frequently asked questions
I already have insurance — why would I need a utility claim?
Because your policy is limited, and many wildfire victims find it falls short of the true loss. A claim against the utility can seek losses beyond your policy limits, and the two are coordinated. For many families, the fuller recovery comes from the utility claim.
This article is general information about California injury law, not legal advice. Every case is different — talk to a lawyer about your situation.
Did a utility-caused wildfire harm your family?
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