Estavillo Law Group would like to extend our condolences to the many people whose homes, cars, and personal property were ravaged by the recent California fires.
With the loss of anyone’s primary dwelling and inevitably all of his or her possessions, it’s often difficult to know how to pick up the pieces and move forward.
If you, or someone you know, has lost a home as a result of a fire or other disaster, it’s important to act in a timely manner. Part of getting back on your feet is due to taking immediate steps to rebuild your home and your future.
If You Lost Your Home in a Fire or Disaster, Take These First Steps
• Take pictures of the damage. Be as thorough as you can and keep them in a safe place or online.
• Contact your home insurance carrier. Within 48 hours, your carrier should provide you with a claim number to be able to get the funds to start rebuilding your home. Your insurance carrier will attempt to get you the money as soon as possible.
• Ask your home and car insurance carriers to send you a copy of your insurance policies, if they were destroyed, so you know exactly how much coverage you have. This information will tell you how much of the building, outlining fences, pool if you have one, cars, and personal property is covered so you can budget and plan for replacement.
• Create an itemized list of all the expenses you are incurring as a result of being displaced. Include cost to live elsewhere, food, clothing, necessities. Most homeowners’ policies provide for some type of compensation when homeowners are forced to find new lodging while they get their lives back in order and rebuild the home.
Do Not Fall Behind on Your Mortgage
As difficult as it may be to pay for a dwelling that no longer exists or is so badly damaged you are unable to stay there, you still need to make your mortgage payments.
An exception would be if your home is already paid off. Failure to pay your mortgage can result in fines and or penalties as well as damage your credit score and make it even more difficult to purchase, rebuild your new home, or get a new loan.
Ask Lenders for Help
Consider asking your lenders for help. Contact your mortgage or car servicer or lender and ask them to work with you while you maneuver through this difficult time. Depending on the lender, they might be able to work with you. You may even get some relief as it relates to your monthly payments, including possibly getting a reprieve from making your payments.
If You Were Facing Foreclosure Before the Fire Storm, Even if Your Home Was Destroyed, They Can Still Foreclose on the Property After the Fire
If you received a Notice of Default or Notice of Trustee Sale before your home was destroyed, the Lender/Servicer and Trustee can still foreclose on your real property. If you are not sure what to do and don’t want to lose your rights to any insurance proceeds, you need to speak with an attorney to protect your rights during these trying times.
If you or someone close to you has a conflict while trying to settle their insurance claim because of a disaster or issues with their loan, Contact the Estavillo Law Group. We offer free consultations and can advise you of your rights.
The Estavillo Law Group has been successfully fighting for the rights of homeowners all over the state of California, and we may be able to help you too.