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Commissioner Lara urges evacuees from Canyon and Gifford fires to inquire immediately about insurance reimbursement for evacuation costs

News: 2025 Press Release

For Release: August 8, 2025
Media Calls Only: 916-492-3566
Email Inquiries: cdipress@insurance.ca.gov

Commissioner Lara urges evacuees from Canyon and Gifford fires to inquire immediately about insurance reimbursement for evacuation costs

LOS ANGELES — Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara is urging the thousands of Californians ordered to evacuate due to the Canyon, Gifford, and other fires to contact their insurance providers regarding possible reimbursement for evacuation and relocation expenses. Homeowner or renter insurance may cover these costs under Additional Living Expenses (ALE) coverage, which typically includes expenses for food, housing, furniture rental, relocation, storage, and additional transportation.

“When our firefighters say it’s time to evacuate, you need to go. Cost should not be an obstacle. I want evacuees to know that additional living expense coverage can help alleviate the stress and financial burden of mandatory evacuations,” Commissioner Lara stated. “Evacuated residents should keep their receipts and contact their insurance agent to understand their coverage and any additional resources available during this time.”

For assistance, the California Department of Insurance can be reached at 1-800-927-4357 or online at www.insurance.ca.gov.

In 2020, Commissioner Lara sponsored Senate Bill 872, which mandates that insurance companies pay at least two weeks of ALE benefits to evacuees and provide an advance payment for a minimum of four months without requiring an itemized inventory form, among other consumer protections. This law aims to remove barriers for disaster survivors seeking assistance.

Additional Tips for Consumers:

  • Keep all receipts during your evacuation.
  • Insurance policy provisions, including deductibles, differ by company. Residents should check with their insurance provider or agent as soon as possible to confirm coverage, limits, and any documentation requirements. Most renter’s policies typically include ALE coverage.
  • Document the date, time, and names of any insurance company representatives you speak with regarding your coverage.
  • Ensure that any insurance agent or public adjuster offering services has a valid license by checking online with the Department of Insurance.
  • Download the Department’s Top 10 Tips for Wildfire Claimants (also available in Spanish, Mandarin, and Vietnamese), which includes information on claiming ALE benefits.
  • Be aware that public adjusters cannot solicit business for seven calendar days following a disaster.
  • Don’t forget to keep copies of insurance policies, important documents, and a photo or video inventory of your possessions. An inventory can be easily created on your smartphone and securely stored in the Cloud.

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Media Notes: 


Led by Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, the California Department of Insurance is the consumer protection agency for the nation's largest insurance marketplace and safeguards all of the state’s consumers by fairly regulating the insurance industry. Under the Commissioner’s direction, the Department uses its authority to protect Californians from insurance rates that are excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory, oversee insurer solvency to pay claims, set standards for agents and broker licensing, perform market conduct reviews of insurance companies, resolve consumer complaints, and investigate and prosecute insurance fraud. Consumers are urged to call 1-800-927-4357 with any questions or contact us at www.insurance.ca.gov via webform or online chat. Non-media inquiries should be directed to the Consumer Hotline at 800-927-4357. Teletypewriter (TTY), please dial 800-482-4833.

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