NEWS: 2008 PRESS RELEASE / California Department of Insurance
For Release: July 29, 2008
Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner Urges Los Angeles Residents To Prepare For Wildfires And Other Disasters
Los Angeles- Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner today visited a Malibu residence to encourage Southern California homeowners to protect their assets in the event of a disaster. Commissioner Poizner advised all homeowners to proactively prepare for fires and other potential disasters by conducting a home inventory and updating their insurance policies.
"Waiting for a fire to erupt before conducting a Home inventory and reviewing your insurance policy means you could get burned twice - first by the fire then trying to recover your losses," said Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner. "These are concrete steps all California's can take today to protect their homes and belongings."
Attorney and Mother of two shares her nightmare...
Karen Reimus' San Diego house was obliterated by the 2003 wildfires, leaving nothing recognizable except a charred jogging stroller and her daughter's burned bicycle.
Yet Her insured insisted that she catalog each of her family's destroyed personal items - down to the smallest item - if she wanted to be reimbursed. "When insurance companies are selling peace of mind the way the do in their advertisements nobody has any inkling of the hoops you are going to have to jump through," said Reimus, a 39-year-old lawyer and mother of two.
She reached a settlement with her insured after months of wrangling.
Article Dated: February 27, 2006
Los Angeles Times
Written By: Jordan Rau - Times staff Writer
Don't let this happen to your Family.
Former California Insurance Commissioner Speaks out....
Creating a home inventory can be a time-consuming project, but the results might prove invaluable in the event your home or it's contents are destroyed. "It's essential that you document all of your possessions before disaster strikes, "said John Garamendi, California's Insurance Commissioner, this past fall, when he teamed up with Thomas V. McKeman Jr. the Auto Club's President and CEO, to inform the public about the importance of conducting a home inventory. "In the event of a tragedy or other loss, you'll be asked to provide your insurance company with copies of bills, receipts, or other documentation to support your claims," Garamendi added. "Dealing with a disaster at home can be a tremendously stressful time, and relying solely on your memory is a mistake you will want to avoid." - D.P.
Article Titled: Before It's Too Late
Dated: January/ February 2005
By: Danielle Pedersen