Claim guides
How California claims are actually decided
Each guide takes one kind of loss and walks through what the policy is asked to pay, how the insurer builds its number, where the disagreement usually starts, and what the claim file needs to contain before anyone can answer it.
We represent California homeowners and businesses in insurance recovery matters — denied, delayed, and underpaid claims.
Published guides
California claim guide
Wildfire and smoke damage claims
Structure, contents, additional living expenses, and smoke remediation — how each part is valued and where each tends to break down.
Read the wildfire and smoke damage claims guideCalifornia claim guide
Smoke and ash damage without fire
Why combustion residue is physical damage, what sampling and HVAC inspection prove, and how these claims are commonly denied.
Read the smoke and ash damage without fire guideCalifornia claim guide
Water and pipe-burst damage claims
Sudden discharge versus long-term seepage, the mold sublimit, and why a plumber's dated opinion often decides the claim.
Read the water and pipe-burst damage claims guideCalifornia claim guide
Business interruption claims
Physical damage triggers, the period of restoration, extra expense, and how lost income is actually calculated.
Read the business interruption claims guideCalifornia claim guide
Underpaid roof and structural claims
Repair versus replacement, matching, depreciation, and how to take an estimate apart line by line.
Read the underpaid roof and structural claims guideCalifornia claim guide
How to file a complaint against your insurance company
The internal complaint, the California Department of Insurance Request for Assistance, what each one can and cannot do, and the deadlines that keep running while you wait.
Read the how to file a complaint against your insurance company guide
Insurer guides
Carrier-specific overviews of the disputes California policyholders ask about most. We represent policyholders only and are not affiliated with any insurance company.
Insurer overview
State Farm claim disputes
A disagreement with a large national carrier is a disagreement with a process. Understanding how that process produces a decision is the first step in answering one you think is wrong.
Insurer overview
Farmers claim disputes
Every large carrier resolves claims through a process. When the outcome looks wrong, the useful question is which step of that process produced it.
Insurer overview
Allstate claim disputes
A decision letter is the end of a process, not the start of one. Understanding how the decision was built is what makes a response possible.
Insurer overview
Mercury Insurance claim disputes
California-focused carriers handle California losses at scale. The disputes that follow are familiar ones, and so are the documents that answer them.
In preparation
These guides are being written and reviewed. They are listed here so you know what is coming rather than published before they are ready.
Request a Free Case ReviewEarthquake coverage and deductibles
Percentage deductibles, CEA policies, and what is and is not covered after a shake.
Total loss and diminished value in auto claims
How a total-loss valuation is built and what to check inside it.
HOA and condominium coverage disputes
Where the association's master policy ends and the unit owner's policy begins.
Also useful
What California law requires of your insurer
Acknowledgment and decision deadlines, the duty of good faith, appraisal, and how to file a Department of Insurance complaint — each tied to its source.
Free tool
Denial letter decoder
Pick the reason your letter gives and see what the insurer is asserting, what usually answers it, and what to gather.
The information on this website is provided for general educational purposes only. It is not legal advice, and it should not be relied on as a substitute for advice about your specific policy, claim, or circumstances. Insurance claims and lawsuits are subject to deadlines set by the policy and by law. Delay in seeking advice may affect available options. Insurance claims and lawsuits may be subject to deadlines. If you believe a deadline may be near, do not rely on this form alone. Contact a qualified California attorney promptly.