GET 100% FOR YOUR STUFF?
If you have Personal Property Coverage, when you submit your contents list, your insurer may turn around and offer you a lot less than what your stuff costs.
Here’s how to make sure you are fully reimbursed.
*This information has been checked for accuracy and non-bias by licensed professionals, experts and representatives from National 501c3’s. Consult with a licensed professional about your specific situation.HOW THEY USE
“DEPRECIATION”
Your insurer looks at the age and wear of an item when deciding its value. Instead of paying the full original price, they’ll only cover a reduced amount, which may be less than what it actually costs you to replace it.
For example:
If you list a $3,000 couch, you may only be paid $1,000 for it because it was three years old.
HOW TO GET THE
FULL COST
There are some tips and tricks to presenting your documentation correctly to make sure your insurer knows what things actually cost you and issues your full replacement cost payment.
Check your policy to see if your personal property coverage is Replacement Cost Value (“RCV”). If yes…
When you submit your contents list, you’ll receive the depreciated amount. When you buy a replacement $3,000 couch, submit the receipt, and you should be sent the remainder.
For example:
If you submitted the $3,000 couch on your contents list but only received $1,000 for its depreciated value, when you buy a new $3,000 couch, submit the receipt, and you should receive the $2,000 delta for replacing it.
AVOID GENERIC
COMPS
Your insurer will use generic comps for your stuff to drive the replacement cost estimate down.
For example:
If you just write “Crate & Barrel sofa,” the system might price it as their cheapest model - even if what you lost was a $3,000 leather couch. Unless you give details, it defaults to the lowest option.
What you can do about it:
Use a free tool like Bevel to compile your inventory
Be as specific as possible, linking to an exact item, if possible, and any photos you have of what you lost. It’s arduous, but on higher ticket items and across a full list can make a big difference.
Insist on “Like Kind Replacement.” Be politely firm that you need the exact item replaced, not a similar one, even if it’s expensive.
DEADLINES
Check your policy for your insurer’s deadline for submitting replacement receipts (often 12–24 months).
If you miss it, you can request a reasonable extension for wildfire-related delays such as rebuilding, supply issues, or displacement.
Extensions are at the insurer’s discretion and not guaranteed, so document your reason carefully and keep all communication in writing.
Contact your insurer promptly, explain the circumstances, formally request an extension, and keep records of all communications.
If denied, you may contact the California Department of Insurance for guidance, but payment after the deadline is not guaranteed.
STRONG REQUESTS
Follow these steps to create a request for full reimbursement that is very hard to argue with.
Use the spreadsheet template in the “RECEIPTS” folder in your Google Drive
As you purchase things, have a receipt emailed to you by the store, or take a photo with your phone.
Drop a copy of every receipt you accrue into your “RECEIPTS” folder and rename it (ie, “(the date) - (the store) - (item)“Adidas sneakers, “TV”)
Select “Here” in the “Receipt” column and press Command+K, then
Start typing the receipt name
Select the receipt name, and click on the correct one. (This creates a hyperlink so your adjuster won’t have to ask you to dig around for a certain receipt months later.)
“Follow up regularly with your Adjuster after submitting receipts to ensure they’re processed. Adjusters often manage many claims at once, so periodic check-ins help keep your claim on track.”
Andrew Avina, Disaster Finance Expert, Operation Hope