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Community Assisting Recovery, Inc.

“Survivors Helping Survivors” • 888-216-8264 • carehelp.org

Upcoming Meeting Schedule:

Insurance/Recovery Tip:

Recovering Depreciation

We remind 2007 wildfire survivors, with over a year passing since their fire losses and often distracted by other recovery issues, to not forget additional settlement money that may remain within their policy coverages that they did not initially receive—unpaid depreciated funds or “hold back”.

For example, a homeowner with $150,000 in personal property coverage may have submitted an inventory of $200,000. The insurance company depreciated the value of all reported items and only paid $130,000. The homeowner has $20,000 of personal property coverage remaining within the policy coverage.

What can be done to claim the additional unpaid settlement funds?

1. Continue writing and submitting the personal property list:
   1. Include all the little, inexpensive items.  It all adds up and small necessities often are the first things replaced (and first things forgotten), so the adjuster should give its full value up front. Think of that first trip to the mega-mart, made right after the fire. Buying all new toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, deodorants, razors, and other toiletries creates a large bill all by themselves.
   2. Spend some time and itemize areas that were grouped together or categorized. For example, if you claimed a group of items using a lump sum price - like a tool box, a sewing box, or gardening items - break the category down and itemize to determine their full value, including the cost of the tool box. Based on our experience with disasters, you will be amazed and the full cost!
2. Claim withheld depreciation. For instance, you claimed a $2,000 couch and the insurance company paid only $1000 as the depreciated amount. You then bought a “like-kind and quality” couch at a cost of $2,100 (don't forget tax and delivery). Send the receipt to the insurance company and claim payment for the “hold back”—an additional $1100. Do this on an item by item basis.
3. Negotiate any item that was excessively depreciated. In the above example, the couch was depreciated 50%—an unusually high depreciation. Depreciation, based on the wear and tear or physical condition, is always negotiable. Only you know the actual condition at the time of loss. Negotiate a reduced depreciated amount if the item has been excessively depreciated. For example, if you just purchased the couch or the item was rarely used and was in excellent condition or the item was an antique or a collectible. We have seen many items which were overly depreciated by the arbitrary judgment of the adjuster or the technical application of a computer. Remember, only you know the condition of an item, not an “in house” chart or a computer.

In summation, do not leave any unpaid coverages on the table if your loss exceeds the amounts paid or policy limits. You deserve full payment of your loss within policy limits!

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CARe Update:

Grant for Sylmar Project approved

CARe is proud to announce the award of a grant from the California Community Foundation and the United Way to help fund our endeavors in helping the survivors of the Sayre Fire. This grant will go a long way to help cover the expenses involved with helping the displaced families in LA County.

We want to express our deepest gratitude to these organizations for helping us fund the “2008 Southern California Wildfire Project – a project of Community Partners.”  

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Sempra/SCE Update:

SDG&E might sue burned-out residents over fires' spread
January 29, 2009

SAN DIEGO — San Diego Gas & Electric is threatening to sue people who were burned out in the 2007 wildfires, saying they didn't take care of their properties properly and, as a result, contributed to the damage.

http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/jan/29/1m29sdge205232-sdgampe-might-sue-burned-out-reside/?zIndex=44600

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Disaster Recovery News:                   

RANCHO BERNARDO: Frame signing party makes fire victim feel like she's home
January 4, 2009

RANCHO BERNARDO ---- The food, laughter and happy conversations Sunday afternoon were in stark contrast to the sight of the plain wood frame where a house once stood for a survivor of the 2007 Witch Creek wildfire.

But for Robin Kaufman of Rancho Bernardo, the dozens of people who came to her "frame signing party" were "making it start to feel more like a home than a house," she said, smiling.

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2009/01/04/news/inland/rb/z97930d22dabd5c8888257535000705e3.txt

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Insurance Industry News:                  

California Department of Insurance meeting in Yorba Linda

The California Department of Insurance will be holding a community meeting for survivors of the Freeway Fire Complex. Please remember it is a public meeting. Audio and video recording will be happening at all times.

WHEN: February 4, 2009 at 7:00 PM

WHERE: Yorba Linda Community Center
           4501 Casa Loma Ave
           Yorba Linda CA 92886

WHAT: Representatives from the California Department of
           Insurance and other agencies will be available to
           assist you and provide answers to your questions.
           CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE

For more information call us at 213-346-6870 or visit www.insurance.ca.gov

For more info, view the original flyer at:

http://www.cityofbrea.net/images/default/citydocs/Fire%20Services/Flyer_Townhall_Meetings_YorbaLindaFinal2.pdf

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Disaster Prepared:

[Editor's Note: I put this in disaster prepared because some people note that he resigned, "due in part to blame for lack of wildland fire preparations."]

REGIONAL PLANNING AGENCY: Tahoe regulator resigns 
Jan 26, 2009

RENO -- John Singlaub has resigned as executive director of the land-use regulatory agency charged with protecting Lake Tahoe, citing the grind of a job tugged by the competing interests of environmentalists and developers.

Singlaub's resignation letter was submitted Friday to Tahoe Regional Planning Agency governing board Chair Allen Biaggi.

http://www.lvrj.com/news/38316359.html

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Quote of the Week:                   

“The only aspect of our travels that is interesting to others is disaster.”

     -Martha Gellman

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Community Assisting Recovery, Inc.

19360 Rinaldi Street, PMB 220, Northridge CA 91326
www.carehelp.org
888-216-8264