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If you are a homeowner who’s insurer cancelled or non-renewed your policy and you subsequently experienced fire damage in California, you may be eligible to file a claim against the insurance company. Losing your home in a wildfire is devastating, you should not have to deal with the unjust practices of insurance companies on your own. Contact Singleton Schreiber to learn more about how we may be able to help you. 

Why Singleton Schreiber Can Help

When facing devastating losses after a wildfire and loss of insurance coverage, finding a legal team that can help you is important. At Singleton Schreiber, we have the experience and dedication to get you the justice you deserve. When you choose to work with us you get:

• A team with extensive experience – our attorneys are skilled in both insurance recovery and wildfire litigation claims. We understand how insurance companies work and will use our knowledge to hold them accountable to get you the compensation you deserve.
• A track record of success – over the last 10 years we have recovered more than $3 billion for our clients. We are dedicated to your success and will fight to get you the maximum possible compensation. 
• A law firm that prioritized you, the client – at Singleton Schreiber, we are dedicated to caring for our clients and putting them first. We will take the time to hear you and understand what justice looks like for you so we can tailor our services to meet your needs. 

Common Fire Damage Losses 

Wildfires in California can inflict serious losses on those affected by them. According to CalFire, in 2024 there were over 8,000 wildfires in the state, burning over 1,000,000 acres, and destroying or damaging over 2,000 structures. When you experience a wildfire, common losses may include:

• Structural damage
• Loss of personal property
• Burn injuries
• Bodily injuries
• Roof damage
• Water damage
• Electrical damage
• Smoke damage
• Loss of landscaping and trees
• Homelessness
• Cost of evacuation and temporary relocation
• Depression and anxiety
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• And more

If you have insurance coverage, you may be able to obtain compensation for some of the damages listed above. However, insurance policies only cover economic damages, non-economic damages like depression, stress, and emotional anguish are not eligible for compensation from your policy. 

Unfortunately, many insurance providers will attempt to diminish, or flat out deny your fire damage claims. When this happens, it is considered bad faith. 

Recently, with the fires in Los Angeles County, including the Eaton, Palisades, Sunset, and Hurst fires, there were insurance companies that dropped coverage in the areas several months before the fires occurred. Michelle Meyers, attorney at Singleton Schreiber, is handling a lawsuit filed by a California homeowner suing Liberty Mutual for using a “demonstrably false” photo as evidence to drop their claim. 

Why Insurance Companies Are Cancelling or Non-Renewing Insurance Policies

In recent years many private insurers have dropped their California policies, forcing homeowners to procure coverage from the California Fair Access to Insurance Requirements Plan, also known as the FAIR plan, or to forgo insurance coverage altogether. 

The FAIR plan is a last resort for homeowners as it provides only basic fire insurance coverage. 

In light of the recent Los Angeles and Ventura County wildfires, the California Department of Insurance has placed a one-year moratorium on non-renewals. This means that the Department of Insurance will partner with CalFire and the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services to identify wildfire perimeters and nearby zip codes, protecting those policyholders who live in those areas from losing their coverage for one year from the date of the Governor’s emergency declaration. 

Recent Notable California Wildfires

Currently, the Los Angeles County Fires continue to burn, with the Palisades fire covering nearly 24,000 acres, and the Eaton fire over 14,000 acres. Some of the notable California wildfires from recent years include:

• August Complex fire – spanning six counties (Glenn, Lake, Mendocino, Tehama, Trinity, Shasta), this fire burned 1,032,648 acres in August 2020
• Dixie fire – spanning five counties (Butte, Lassen, Plumas, Shasta, Tehama), this fire burned 963,309 acres in July 2021
• Park fire – spanning two counties (Butte & Tehama), this fire burned 429,603 acres in July 2024
• SCU Lightning Complex fire – spanning six counties (Santa Clara, Alameda, Contra Costa, San Joaquin, Merced, Stanislaus), this fire burned 396,624 acres in August 2020
• Creek fire – spanning two counties (Fresno & Madera), this fire burned 379,895 acres in September 2020
• LNU Lighting Complex fire – spanning six counties (Colusa, Lake, Napa, Sonoma, Solano, Yolo), this fire burned 363,220 acres in August 2020
• North Complex fire – spanning two counties (Plumas & Butte), this fire burned 318,935 acres in August 2020

Call Us Today

The aftermath of a California wildfire can be confusing, stressful, and devastating, which is all compounded if your insurance canceled or non-renewed your claim just before the fire. Don’t face the aftermath alone, call Singleton Schreiber to learn more about how we may be able to help you recover damages and hold your insurer accountable.