News: 2007 Press Release

SACRAMENTO ― California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner today reminded small business owners throughout Southern California to carefully review their insurance policies as recovery efforts are underway.

"The Southern California wildfires have caused a tremendous amount of damage and destruction for many families and businesses," said Commissioner Poizner. "As the backbone of our state's robust economy, California's small businesses were hit especially hard by last week's devastating blazes. I want to make sure that our state's small businesses are fully equipped to recover quickly from this disaster."

Small businesses located in areas that were evacuated due to last week's wildfires should review their business owners' policies (BOP) and check for business interruption coverage. Standard BOP policies typically include business interruption coverage.

If a business located near the fires was prevented from conducting regular business due to the wildfires, they should also review their policies. Impacted businesses in regions surrounding evacuated areas may be eligible for business interruption coverage as well.

Small businesses impacted by the wildfires can contact their local SBA Office (www.sba.gov) for additional information and resources.

If any business owner or consumer has questions regarding their insurance policy, they should contact the Department of Insurance Consumer Hotline at 1-800-927-HELP.