Patti and I extend our best CHRISTMAS wishes to all Wildfire/Holiday Flood victims… who will soon be victimized again by their insurance company. Insurance employs the same Deny-and-Delay, slow-down tactics I encounter daily, representing car accident victims. They count on victims’ frustrations over their immediate financial needs… resulting in low-ball settlements. Remember: “The Insurance Co’s are Not on your side; you are Not in good hands; and your friendly neighbor will Not give you a piece of the rock.”
Victims will face a long road ahead to recoup their losses. However, no one should settle for less than what is right…and yet, like many car Accident victims, they will settle short! Some will also learn their homes were underinsured, and many will encounter SCAMS.
WHAT TO DO
- FILE A CLAIM ASAP WITH: YOUR HOME OR DEFENDANTS’ INSURANCE | ELECTRIC CO. | EDISON | DEPARTMENT OF WATER AND POWER… as appropriate.
- APPLY FOR A REASSESSMENT OF YOUR PROPERTY TAXES… since you are no longer insuring a home.
You must be organized with a Recovery/Accident Diary Notebook! Take pictures before the debris is cleaned up, and document all calls and emails, including notes of everything that happens. List the date and time, with whom you spoke, what was said, and how long you spoke. After all calls and contacts, please send an email memorializing what was said, so you have a Paper Trail, and so the defense can’t later deny it. For instance: “ I talked to you on X date, and this is what I heard you say.”
For total losses, be prepared to itemize everything lost and document (receipts) where and when things were purchased. On January 7, 2025, California declared a State of Emergency, which triggered the fire damage, California law that insurance must follow. The Insurance Company must immediately pay you a minimum of 30% of the estimated value of your personal belongings, contents/stuff. Some companies are doing so even if there is not a total loss, and some when there are two weeks of restricted access.
For Wildfire Victims, the law requires these Insurance payments, even if the adjuster hasn’t inspected your home. Insurance must provide a minimum of 4 months’ worth of rent and living expenses for the local area in which you live. You should also request a CASH advance for living expenses, such as renting furniture, securing towels, sheets, and kitchen utensils, etc.
You must understand that adjusters get re-assigned, and it’s not always what you said, but rather what the defense thought you said! Remember the Insurance Company is NOT on Your Side.
Read your insurance policy and don’t take the first offer. Seek the assistance of someone with experience, be it an attorney or public adjusting firm. Call me if you need courtesy directions to one.
Many lawyers, without WILDFIRE experience, will file early lawsuits to attract clients, as was the case with last year’s PS Xmas Parade Accident, and then follow the lead of the experienced trial lawyers. Please vet your attorney, be it a car accident, flood, or “Wildfire” BEFORE signing, and if necessary, change lawyers without any cost to you. Don’t just hire an inexperienced, no-name, 1-800 TV/Billboard advertising attorney. We see the ads for the deceased Larry H. Parker, and Jacoby and Meyers, with one partner deceased and the other retired. All of them are no longer with the firms.
If you encounter problems with an insurance company, contact Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara at 800-927-4357. Understand that when FEMA says NOT APPROVED, THAT DOESN’T MEAN DENIED!
If you were not insured, contact: disasterassistance.gov. Be safe, not sorry, and consult with an award-winning law firm or public adjusting company now. Though I only handle accident cases, I would be happy to direct anyone who calls me…760-837-7500.
40+ Top Lawyer | 5-Star | 10.0 | Career | PI | DUI | Awards | 10 Man of the Year | 5 Dale Gribow Days | PS LIFE “TOP LAWYER “ 2025-26, for the 15th consecutive year –awarded to a select few | recipient of the highest confidential gold standard judge and peer ratings from the most respected legal rating organizations, including Google, Justia, Nolo, Lawyers.com and Martindale/Avvo| Mr. Charity – “recognizing dozens of legal/philanthropic awards, signifying “THE BEST” in the CV for 30+ years | 1,000 Weekly Legal Columns (coachellavalleyweekly.com to read some past columns) | Palm Springs Desert Sun Society Reporter-14 years | Judge Pro-Tem | Arbitrator | Mediator.
Dale knows first-hand, the pain and stress accidents cause, as he too was rear-ended. He combines legal skill, medical insight, and genuine compassion, to fight for your recovery and justice. ________________________________________________________________________
📞 Call for a Free PI Case Review and protect your rights today 760-837-7500
