Wildfire Damage

If you have experienced wildfire damage, take precautions by following the tips below, and call us at 800-332-3226 to file a claim as soon as possible.

Tips for Immediate Action

Make personal safety your first priority.
Listen to the local radio for up-to-date information.
Stay out of damaged buildings. If you’re in an evacuated area, don’t return to your home or business until local authorities report that it’s safe.
Watch out for broken glass and sharp objects.
Wear protective clothing—sturdy shoes, long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, gloves and a handkerchief or mouth/nose mask to protect your face from ashes and soot.
Check your roof immediately. Put out any sparks or burning embers if you can do so safely.
Inspect your entire property for signs of burning embers. Call the fire department if necessary.

Report Your Claim

Call 800-332-3226 to file a claim if you have wildfire damage. Provide at least a general description of your damage. A customer service representative will walk you through your claim, recording the details.

A claims representative will call you after you’ve reported your claim. Most of the time, it will be within 72 hours. If you have serious damage, we will make every effort to get to you first.

Make Temporary Repairs

After it is safe to do so, it is your responsibility to take action to avoid further damage.

If you can, cover broken windows or holes in the roof with heavy-duty tarps or plywood. If you aren't sure what is necessary to make your home safe after a wildfire, professionals can help. You’ll usually find them listed under "Contractors" in your phone directory. As part of documenting the damage, save receipts from any temporary fixes you make.

Review Your Insurance Policy

Check your policy to see what’s covered and the deductible you chose when you purchased your policy. Review your policy to prepare questions for your claims professional.

Your insurance policy typically covers the cost to repair common damage from wildfires—including damage to roofs, walls, cars, and your personal belongings. Your deductible applies.

If you can’t live in your home, Safeco will pay additional living expenses, as noted in your policy, while the damage is assessed and your home is being repaired or rebuilt. If the repairs take longer than the period of time covered by your policy, you may be eligible for additional assistance from federal emergency programs.

Document Your Damage

As soon as you can, make a thorough list of items the wildfire damaged—this will help us process your claim faster. Document the damage with photos, video, bills, and receipts. Don’t throw out damaged items—especially expensive ones.

Your claims representative will advise you on the specific information we will need from you to process your claim.

Schedule Permanent Repairs

Safeco requires you to wait until your claims representative assesses your damage before you begin making permanent repairs. We encourage you, however, to schedule permanent repairs as soon as possible because contractors can be difficult to schedule after a wildfire. Use a local, licensed, bonded and insured contractor. Always check references.

Understand Your Responsibility

Safeco will replace damaged items and materials with the same type and quality of materials you had before the wildfire. For example, if you had a fiberglass roof, we will pay to repair or replace damage with fiberglass materials-but we won’t pay to replace it with more expensive slate tile.

If damage is extensive, people sometimes decide to take the opportunity to upgrade their property with better or more expensive materials. Again, Safeco will pay only to replace materials of comparable kind and quality. If you want to pay the additional expense to upgrade, you’re welcome to do so out of your personal budget.

Any time you make improvements to your property, talk to your local Safeco agent to make sure you have enough insurance and to find out if you are eligible for discounts.

Download the printable version of this information.