Ricardo Lara, California’s Insurance Commissioner, has revealed that insured losses of more than $11.4 billion have now been reported from the November 2018 Wildfires.
The new figure represents growth of roughly 25%, or more than $2.3 billion from the total reported by the Department of Insurance in December 2018.
Insurers have reported more than 46,000 claims, and over 13,000 insured homes and businesses suffered a total loss, reports the Department.
Lara commented: “Today, we have a clearer picture of the loss from the devastating Camp and Woolsey fires. The Department of Insurance is here to help. To date we have assisted more than 5,000 survivors of the November fires. To the residents of Paradise, Butte, Malibu, Los Angeles and the other communities who have lost so much—we stand with you on the long road to recovery.”
The Commissioner notes that staff of the Department of Insurance have been on site in affected areas, offering expertise to wildfire survivors. The Department also has workshops planned in the coming weeks to assist survivors and their insurance needs, and has also deployed its law officials to mitigate the impacts of scam artists in the area.
“We have a lot to do to get ready for the next fire season. The Department of Insurance is committed to working tirelessly with our fellow agencies to ensure that we have a system in place that protects wildfire survivors, prevents wildfires, and preserves our state,” said Lara.
