The Two Paths to Recovery After a Utility Fire
When a wildfire caused by utility equipment takes a home or a livelihood, families often assume their insurance is the end of the story. It usually is not. There are two separate paths to recovery.
Your own insurance
A claim on your policy is the first path, and often the first money in. But it is limited by your coverage and your policy limits — and after a total loss, many families find those limits do not cover what they actually lost.
A claim against the utility
The second path is a claim against the company whose equipment caused the fire. It can seek losses beyond your policy limits — underinsured property, full contents, income, displacement, and the personal harm you suffered.
For property, negligence may not be required
In some states, inverse condemnation can allow recovery for property damage a utility's infrastructure caused even without proving negligence, which can make a property claim more direct.
They work together
You can generally pursue both, and they are coordinated. A free, confidential conversation can explain how the two paths fit your situation and help you recover the full scope of your losses.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to choose between my insurance and the utility?
No — they are separate and can be pursued together. Your insurance is based on your policy; the utility claim can seek losses beyond your limits. The two are coordinated, which is handled for you.
This article is general information about Wildfire Utility Liability injury law, not legal advice. Every case is different — talk to a lawyer about your situation.
The law depends on your state
The steps above apply wherever you were hurt. Filing deadlines, fault rules, and limits on damages differ by state — pick yours for what applies to wildfire utility liability.
Bitten by someone else's dog?
A quick, confidential review can tell you where you stand — about two minutes, no cost, no obligation.