We encourage you to work with your insurance carrier to obtain the maximum compensation you are entitled to under your policy; our website provides resources to assist you with this process. We will also work with you and assist in filing insurance claims and forms, including the preparation of personal-property lists, and other itemized losses. Unfortunately, most insurance policies won’t fully compensate you for your damages. If losses exceed your policy’s maximum benefit limit (almost certainly the case), you will be out-of-pocket for the difference. Insurers commonly fail their policy holders: providing only a fixed amount to rebuild your residence, and amounts for personal property that are greatly depreciated or don’t cover certain categories, and with a certain percentage, usually less than 100%, available for landscaping, such as a payment per tree or shrub, which is well below their actual replacement cost. Insurance also will not cover: pain and suffering, time spent away from loved ones, personal injuries caused by the fire, such as smoke inhalation, and the emotional distress and inconvenience associated with the evacuation and rebuild process. So save your receipts, and work with your carrier. However, remember an insurance company’s interests are adverse to yours, and you will absolutely need an experienced wildfire attorney on your side, to assist you in recovering everything you’re owed.