Are You Disaster Ready?

• Make a list of your belongings before disaster strikes - If you ever have to file a claim, the insurance company will ask for proof of purchase for all items reported on the claim. You should have a comprehensive list of all possessions, including purchase prices, model numbers, and serial numbers; the list should also include pictures of your belongings, especially any high end valuables. You can start simple by using a pad and pencil, but know there are many versions of home inventory checklists available online and as apps for smartphones - and these versions are detailed and thorough. If you create a physical document, be sure to store a copy in a safe place away from your home, or create an electronic copy and email it to yourself.
• Navigating Homeowners Insurance - Includes information about home inventories - from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)

Natural catastrophes can happen in an instant. Families and individuals would prepare in advance by having an emergency go-to-bag ready and developing plans to follow before, during and after an event. The Division of Insurance encourages all Colorado residents to be prepared in case of an emergency. Preparation should  include having a “to-go bag” for essentials. Some essentials to consider: 

Cash: If the power goes out credit cards won’t work so consider keeping some cash on hand.

• But make sure to keep receipts for everything.  It will help in making an insurance claim later.

Medication: Pharmacies may be closed and hospitals may be overwhelmed. Consider keeping a backup supply of medications like blood pressure medicine and insulin.

• Also keeping your health insurance information accessible, with your insurance card or cell phone app, can help get prescriptions filled if they are already on record. 

Battery Powered Radio: If electricity is out and cell towers are down, this is your only way to know what’s happening.

• Consider keeping a battery backup for your cell phone, charged and with the necessary cords, as a means of getting information and staying in touch.

Insurance Information: Keep a record of your insurance company, agent, policy numbers and phone numbers on your cell phone or download your insurance company’s app.  This can help you get started on recovery quickly.

List of Shelters: In this time of social distancing, not all shelters are open. Or, you may need to travel further than you would normally to find shelter. Consider making a list of possible shelters and, if you have a pet, make sure they are pet friendly. 

• Local media and your county’s emergency services department can help identify shelter options.

Change of Clothes: If you are forced to be away from home for a few days you will need a change of clothes for each family member.

• Don’t forget a kid’s comfort toy, or collars and leashes for your pets.

A Note About Important Documents - Social Security cards, passports, birth certificates, driver’s licenses and more could be lost in a fire or flood. While you usually wouldn't store these important documents with your to-go bag, you should consider storing them electronically, or if you can't do that, securing them in a fireproof and waterproof container. 

• Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management - This site has a list of participating counties where consumers can register for and begin receiving emergency alerts via text, SMS, email or mobile alert systems.
• InciWeb, an Incident Information System - Provides information on fires and evacuations across the U.S. It is an interagency, all-risk incident information management system, created as a single source of incident-related information for the public.
• American Red Cross of Colorado - Serving Colorado residents through four chapters and hundreds of local, community-based volunteers.
• FloodSmart.gov - Your homeowners insurance DOES NOT cover floods. This site for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) from FEMA has information on floods, flooding risk and flood insurance.

• Colorado Property & Insurance Wildfire Preparedness Guide
• csfs.colostate.edu/areas - Find your local Colorado State Forest Service office
• coloradoforestatlas.org - Access mapping tool for statewide wildfire risk information
• IBHS.org - Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety
• disastersafety.org/wildfire/wildfire-ready - Information from IBHS on being wildfire ready
• rmiia.org - Rocky Mountain Insurance Association

• Ensure Safety - Make sure you and your family are safe, and secure temporary housing if necessary.
• Contact Your Insurance Agent or Company
  • All insurance policies differ in coverages, so clarify how your specific policy protects you.
  • Ask for help with coverage or claims questions.
    • What is your deductible?
    • Does a deductible apply to Additional Living Expenses (ALE)?
    • Does ALE coverage have a waiting period before it kicks in?
    • Does ALE coverage only apply if there is actual damage to the home?
  • Get assistance with lodging options.
     

• Coverage for Evacuations -  Most property insurance policies cover additional living expenses (ALE) if you are under a mandatory evacuation order and cannot live in your home due to a covered peril.
• Reimbursement Details - Policies typically reimburse the difference between your additional living expenses and normal living expenses. 
• Policy Limits and Conditions - Be aware that your policy has set limits on the amount it will pay, may be subject to a deductible, and could have a waiting period before ALE coverage is available.
• Out-of-Pocket Assistance - ALE coverage may provide some out-of-pocket money while you are displaced.
• Verify Coverage - Check with your insurance agent or insurance company about your specific coverage.
• Keep Receipts -  Save all receipts for expenses that may be reimbursed if you file a claim.

• Evacuation Plan
  • Identify lodging options with family, friends, local hotels, or shelters.
  • Look into insurance assistance with lodging.
  • Plan for pet shelters if needed.
• Document Valuables
  • If time permits, take photos or videos of personal possessions, especially valuable items.
  • Create a comprehensive home inventory with lists, photos, or videos of your home's contents.
  • Use insurance company smartphone apps to simplify this process.
• Safety First - Always prioritize your safety over taking inventory.

• Document Expenses - Keep receipts for all restaurant, hotel, and other living expenses incurred because you cannot return home.

• Only return to your property when local authorities confirm it is safe to do so. Be aware of ongoing hazards, such as structural damage, ash pits, and compromised utilities.

• Contact Your Insurance Company: If your property has been damaged by fire or smoke, immediately contact your insurance company or agent to report the loss and start the claim process. Insurance Company Contact Information
• Contact the Colorado Division of Insurance: For assistance with contacting your insurance carrier or agent, contact our Consumer Services Team 303-894-7490 / DORA_Insurance@state.co.us. 
• Provide Current Information: Ensure the insurance company has your current contact information and address.
• Obtain Key Information: Get the claim number and the names and contact information of the assigned adjuster(s) and their manager(s).
• Multiple Adjusters: Different parts of your claim (e.g., property, personal property, ALE) might be handled by different adjusters. If a vendor assists with your claim, they represent the insurance company and are held to the same standards.
• Request Your Policy: Ask for a complete copy of your policy, which the insurance company must provide within 3 business days.
• Advance Payment for Total Loss: Colorado law requires insurers to pay 65% of the contents coverage listed on your policy without requiring a personal property inventory for total losses.

• Photograph and Video: Document all damage extensively with photos and videos. 
• List of Damaged Items: Make a detailed inventory of damaged or lost items, including their approximate value. 
• Temporary Repairs: Protect your property from further damage by using tarps on roofs or boarding up windows. Save receipts for anything purchased to protect your property, as these costs are typically reimbursable on covered claims.
• Water Damage: Remove any standing water and dry the area as soon as possible. Move water-soaked items to a dry and secure location. 
• Consult Before Repairs and Debris Removal: Avoid permanent repairs until instructed by your insurance company. Also, consult with them regarding debris removal to ensure proper documentation, coverage, and safe handling of potentially hazardous materials.

• Emergency Repairs: Keep receipts for all materials and labor used for temporary repairs.
• Temporary Living Expenses: Save receipts for temporary housing, food, pet shelters, and other expenses incurred due to displacement. These costs may be reimbursable under your policy.

• Insurance Tips for Coloradans Impacted by Wildfires 
• DOI Shares Insurance Tips in Wake of Giant Wind Storm (a Derecho)
• You've Been Hit with Hail, What's Next? - from the Better Business Bureau of Denver

• Schedule an Inspection: Ask your insurance company when they will inspect the damages. The inspection could be at the loss site or another method might be used to estimate the damages.
• Review and Discrepancies: Review the estimate in detail and identify any discrepancies between what is estimated and the actual damage. Provide supporting documentation as needed.

• The initial payment for repairing or replacing your home will list your mortgage company as a co-payee, if applicable. Contact your mortgage company to understand their claim practices and what they will require to release the repair or replacement funds.

• Initial and Supplemental Estimates: Initial estimates may be updated as additional information is obtained. Supplemental payments will be issued accordingly.

• Contents Coverage: Request the 65% contents coverage payment required under Colorado law for total loss if it has not been provided. This payment is not contingent upon an inventory and should be unconditional under a valid policy for a confirmed loss.

• Inventory Format: Provide the property inventory in a format that is most convenient for you. Insurers must accept bulk listings (e.g., number of t-shirts lost). 
• Payment Process: Initial payments are made as Actual Cash Value (ACV), with depreciation released when the property is repaired or replaced.

• ALE benefits are available if your insured home is a total loss or rendered uninhabitable due to fire-related damages. 
• These benefits continue until you can return to your home, provided you do not delay repair or replacement efforts.
   

• Included Expenses: ALE benefits cover rent for temporary living arrangements (including renting space from a friend or family member), increased food costs, commuting, and other living expenses.
• Documentation: Keep thorough records and receipts to ensure you receive all benefits provided by your policy.

• Scarcity of Options: Long-term temporary replacement homes may be scarce. 
• Be Proactive: Act quickly to secure temporary housing. Your insurance company may offer services to help locate a suitable home, but do not wait for them.
• Understand Processes: If using insurer-provided services, understand their processes and your responsibilities to ensure timely and complete benefit payments.

• Make sure your adjuster and company have your current contact information, particularly if you are sheltering away from your home
• Make temporary repairs to protect your home and property from more damage
  • Keep a record of all repair expenses and save receipts
  • Do not make permanent repairs until your insurance company says it is ok to do so
• Make a list of your damaged property and take pictures and videos
  • Do not throw anything away until the adjuster has inspected it
• Remove any standing water and dry the area as soon as possible;
  • Move water-soaked items to a dry and secure location
• Make sure your address is visible from the street. Make a sign if necessary
• Try to be there during the insurance inspection to point out all of the damage

• Licensed and Insured: Ensure contractors are properly licensed and insured.
• Insurance Experience: Prefer contractors experienced with insurance claims processes, including handling supplements.
• Scarcity of Quality Contractors: Be aware that finding quality contractors may be challenging due to high demand. Act quickly, but do not rush your decision.
• Check References: Check references and talk to previous clients about their experiences with the contractor.

• Share the Estimate: Provide the contractor with a copy of the insurance company’s estimate.
• Mutual Understanding: Ensure there is a mutual understanding and agreement regarding any work that is not covered by the insurer.
• Insurance Approval: Make sure all repairs and replacements are approved by your insurance company before the work is done.

• Monitor Progress: Stay involved in the repair/replacement activity. Know what is scheduled to be done, by whom, and by when. Regularly check on the progress.

• Role: A GC will manage trades and scheduling for major repairs or rebuilds
• Fees and Licensing: Ensure the GC is properly licensed and insured according to local requirements. Fees for a GC are typically included in the claim as "Overhead and Profit."

• Role: Subcontractors are specialists hired by the GC to perform specific tasks (e.g., electrical, plumbing, roofing). 
• Licensing and Insurance: Verify that all subcontractors are properly licensed and insured according to local requirements for their specific trades.
• Coordination with GC: Ensure that the GC oversees the subcontractors' work and that it aligns with the overall project plan and insurance company’s requirements.

• Role: A PA assists with dealing with your insurance company and submits estimates. They cannot conduct repairs or rebuilds. 
• Fees and Licensing: For catastrophic disasters, PAs can charge up to 10% of the claim. Verify their licensing and bonding as per Insurance Regulation 1-2-19.

• Federal, State, and Local Assistance: Utilize support from federal organizations like FEMA, state agencies such as the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA), and local government resources for disaster relief and recovery services. 
• Non-Profit Organizations: Seek help from non-profit organizations like the Red Cross and United Policyholders for various forms of assistance, including housing, food, and rebuilding support, without requiring payment. 
• Division of Insurance: We are here to help. Contact the Division of Insurance for further assistance 303-894-7490 / DORA_Insurance@state.co.us.

• Contact Insurer: For prescription refills, Durable Medical Equipment (DME) replacements, or finding in-network providers due to displacement, contact your health insurance company. 
• Waivers and Exceptions: Insurers are required to waive prior authorization for refills or DME replacements and help find in-network providers or process out-of-network exceptions if necessary.

• Medical Care Issues: Reach out to the Division of Insurance for help with medical care issues related to displacement due to fires. We can assist you in working with your insurance company. 303-894-7490 / DORA_Insurance@state.co.us

• Copy of Policy: Your insurance company must provide a copy of your policy within 3 business days of your request. 
• Certified Copy: If you request a certified copy, the company has 30 days to provide it.

• Know Your Benefits: Read your policy to understand your benefits and how to access them. 
• Ask Questions: Contact your insurance agent, adjuster, or the Division of Insurance if you have questions. 303-894-7490 / DORA_Insurance@state.co.us

• Actual Cash Value (ACV): The item's worth at the time of loss.
• Replacement Cost Value (RCV): The cost to replace the item with a new one.
• Depreciation: The difference between ACV and RCV. Insurers must disclose their depreciation methods.

• Initial Payments: Usually based on ACV.
• RCV Payments: Payable when the property is repaired or replaced. Keep all repair receipts.