What happens if I don't have insurance?

It is unlikely that you will receive compensation from an insurance company for property damage caused by a wildfire without insurance, but you may still be able to recover money through legal means. A claim could be filed against the companies that caused the wildfire, such as utility companies, contractors, or government agencies, to recover compensation. If you don't have insurance, you may still be eligible for government disaster assistance.

If you don’t have insurance, your recovery options are limited

Wildfire damage presents significant obstacles to recovery without insurance. There will be no coverage for damage to property, loss of belongings, or additional living expenses resulting from the wildfire. When this occurs, you are left with no choice but to rely on alternative compensation sources, which are generally limited and more difficult to obtain than insurance benefits. In some cases, legal claims may be brought against responsible parties.

Potential legal claims against the responsible parties

If a wildfire is caused by negligence or fault of a third party, you may be able to take legal action without insurance. Faulty power lines, unsafe contractor work, and ineffective government policies could cause wildfires. In such cases, it is crucial to obtain professional legal assistance to prove fault and liability.

Several programs may provide some relief for uninsured wildfire victims:

• Government disaster programs: You can apply for FEMA relief through DisasterAssistance.gov or through the FEMA app. FEMA can provide assistance with rent, lodging, home repairs, and replacement costs.
• Tax relief provisions: The IRS provides tax relief options for uninsured wildfire victims, including the ability to claim disaster-related losses on tax returns and qualified disaster distributions from retirement accounts.
• Community support organizations: Nonprofit groups and community organizations often assist vulnerable populations by providing emergency resources, housing assistance, and recovery information.
• Consumer protection measures: In specific circumstances, certain consumer protection laws may provide relief, particularly for essential services during recovery.

Despite their ability to provide some assistance, these resources rarely fully compensate for the comprehensive coverage that insurance would have provided, so prevention through the proper coverage of insurance is the best way to reduce wildfire losses.

We can help you explore your wildfire claim options

We have over 35 years of experience evaluating claims for hundreds of personal injury cases. If you don't have insurance, we can determine if you can file a wildfire claim against the responsible parties.

We will thoroughly review your case and assess potential liability in order to determine if you are eligible for compensation. In order to assess the damage caused by the wildfire, we will only ask for evidence of the damage.

We will connect you with a wildfire attorney if you qualify.