Insurers Rebut Claims Policies Will Be Cancelled Due to Wildfires

Insurance industry associations in California are hoping to quell concerns stirred up they say by the media and politicians that indicate homeowners’ policies would be cancelled because of the wildfires.

The Association of California Insurance Companies, Personal Insurance Federation of California and American Insurance Association emphasized that a law is in place to address the issues of cancellation and nonrenewal. They cite a statute (AB 2962-Pavley:Chapter 357 of the 2004 Statutes) that prohibits an insurer from cancelling a policy because of a claim prior to reconstruction, and requires the insurer to offer to renew the policy immediately following a disaster.

In addition, the insurers maintain there is no history of widespread non-renewals, as evidenced by data produced by the Insurance Information Network of California, the associations said.

The associations are encouraging victims to contact their agents or representatives as soon as they have the opportunity to do so. If they don’t have information on their individual agent, they should contact their company claims lines.

Insurance Company Toll-Free Numbers for Fire Victims to Contact:

–Allied (800) 282-1446
–Allstate (800) 547-8676
–American International Insurance Company of California (888) 760-9195
–Amica Mutual Insurance Co. (800) 242-6422
–Armed Forces Insurance Exchange (800) 255-0187
–Balboa Insurance Group/Balboa Insurance Company/Newport Insurance
Company/Meritplan Insurance Company (888) 768-2096
–California Casualty (800) 800-9410
–Century-National Insurance Co. (800) 733-1980
–Chubb (800) 252-4670
–Civil Service Employees Insurance Company (8000 282-6848
–CNA (877) CNA-ASAP (262-2727)
–Electric Insurance Company (800) 227-2757
–Farmers (800) HelpPoint (435-7764)
–Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company (888) FIRE-HAT (347-3428)
–GeoVera and GeoVera Specialty Insurance Company (800) 631-6478
–Grange Insurance Association (8000 247-2643
–IDS Property Casualty Insurance Company (Ameriprise) (800) 872-5246
–Liberty Mutual Insurance Company (800) 243-9801
–Lincoln General Insurance Company (866) 262-0232
–MetLife Auto & Home (800) 854-6011
–Nationwide/Allied (800) 282-1446
–Oregon Mutual (800) 888-2141
–Pacific Select (800) 828-3003
–Progressive (800) 776-4737
–Safeco (800) 332-3226
–State Farm (800) SFCLAIM (732-5246)
-USAA (800) 531-8222
–Western Mutual Insurance Company and (800) 234-2103
Residence Mutual Insurance Company
–21st Century (800) 322-8200

Sources: ACIC, PIFC, AIA

Latest Comments

• October 29, 2007 at 3:42 am

  Chris says:

  I agree w/Mary B. you sound very much like a hyprocrite and a mis-informed one at that. I live in San Diego and paid extremly close attention to the news this past week, as al... read more
• October 29, 2007 at 2:45 am

  SP says:

  I don't really forsee a large rate increase to most insureds. The California Insurance Companies know that this event happens every 2-4 years. The cost is already built into t... read more
• October 29, 2007 at 2:33 am

  Stat Guy says:

  well said, Papa John.