Photo by Matthew Henderson.
Basic Necessities May Be Provided by Assisted Living Expenses (ALE).
Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones reminded fire evacuees in California that they may be eligible for reimbursement for additional living expenses due to mandatory evacuations. The California Department of Insurance (CDI) is currently monitoring several fires in the state, including the Vallecito Fire in San Diego County and the Buck Fire in Riverside County, which have the most potential for damage and where mandatory evacuations have been ordered.
“Anyone who has been forced to evacuate their home due to the fires in San Diego or Riverside Counties and elsewhere should check their insurance policies,” said Commissioner Jones. “Many policies cover additional living expenses people might incur because they’ve been ordered to evacuate. Those expenses include hotel stays and meals.”
Homeowners are covered under what is known as ALE, or additional living expenses. This permits them to maintain their normal standard of living by covering the increased living expenses incurred as a result of damage caused by the fire or a mandatory evacuation. ALE coverage typically includes extra food and housing costs, furniture rental, relocation and storage costs, telephone installation and extra transportation expenses to and from school or work.
“Evacuating your home for a wildfire is extremely unnerving,” said Commissioner Jones. “But knowing you’re adequately covered for those unexpected expenses after such a disaster may lessen the anxiety just a little.”
Commissioner Jones reminds all Californians that the department is here to help. He also urges residents to get prepared for wildfires today by making sure their insurance policies are up to date and to conduct a home inventory today. A free guide is available on the Department of Insurance Web site at www.insurance.ca.gov, or by calling the CDI Consumer Hotline at 800-927-HELP.
From California Department of Insurance press release.
