LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – District 1 Supervisor Moke Simon wants to make sure that everyone who lost a home in the Rocky, Valley and Jerusalem fires is aware that the standard 24-month deadline for receiving insurance proceeds will occur this summer.
 
Insurance Code Section 2051.5 provides that in a “loss relating to a ‘state of emergency,’ no time limit of less than 24 months from the date that the first payment toward the actual cash value is made shall be placed upon the insured in order to collect the full replacement cost of the loss, subject to the policy limit.  Nothing in this section shall prohibit the insurer from allowing the insured additional time to collect the full replacement cost.”
 
County staff verified with the California Department of Insurance that homeowners who do not expect to be able to meet the 24-month deadline can request an extension for “good cause” from their insurance company. Owners may also have concerns about living expenses.

Any consumer who has questions or concerns relating to their insurance matters should file a request for assistance with the California Department of Insurance, which will look into the matter and assist you in resolving your concerns.
 
According to Supervisor Simon, “Filing a RFA is easy and can be done online at: http://www.insurance.ca.gov/01-consumers/101-help/index.cfm .”