Washington's Taylor Bridge Fire Destroys over 700 Homes; PCI Provides Tips on Next Steps

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Contact:	Nicole Mahrt Ganley
Phone:	916-440-1116
Email:	nicole.mahrt@pciaa.net
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FOR RELEASE ON RECEIPT
August 16, 2012
Washington?s Taylor Bridge Fire Destroys over 700 Homes; PCI Provides Tips on Next Steps

OLYMPIA ? As firefighters continue fighting to contain the Taylor Bridge Fire near Cle Elum, the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI) reminds residents to heed the warnings of local officials and evacuate if necessary.? After evacuating to a safe location, there are steps residents can take to begin the recovery and rebuilding process.

Firefighters are working to stay ahead of the Taylor Bridge Fire, which is not one fire but dozens of separate blazes.? As of this morning, the fire is only 25 percent contained.? The fire has damaged over 700 homes, 22,000 acres of land and 500 residents remain evacuated.? Firefighters are battling hot temperatures, winds, hills and trees.? Flying embers spreading the fire remains a continued concern.

?The first step evacuees should take is to contact their insurer or agent through the company?s toll free telephone number to begin the claims process,? said Kenton Brine, PCI assistant vice president.? ?Insurers are moving adjustors into Washington to begin reaching out to policyholders. If a home is uninhabitable, the Additional Living Expenses (ALE) provisions of a typical homeowners or renters policy will enable residents to secure temporary housing while the home is repaired.? ALE does not cover all living expenses but it will cover the increase over normal living expenses.?

?If you are evacuated and your home is damaged, remember to save receipts for restaurants and hotels so you can seek reimbursement for those additional expenses under the ALE provisions of your policy,? said Brine.? ?Auto insurance also covers the loss of cars in wildfires such as the Taylor Bridge Fire.?

Renters impacted by these fires should remember that landlords are only responsible for the damage done to the structure of the rented property.? Damage to a renter?s personal property is not covered by the landlord?s policy.? Rental insurance with replacement cost coverage will repair or replace a renter?s covered personal property damaged in a fire.

?The loss of a home and personal possessions is very difficult and waiting to find out if your home is lost or still standing is also very stressful,? said Brine.? ?Recovering from a fire is what insurance is for.? Insurers are ready to help residents put the pieces back together.? Now is the time to contact your company or agent and put your policy to work.?

More Resources:

PCI Insurance Checklist and Tips: During and After the Fire http://www.pciaa.net/web/sitehome.nsf/lcpublic/176/$file/NatCat_Insurance_Checklist.pdf

PCI/ACIC Member Company Toll-Free Wildfire Policyholder Claim Phone Numbers -- http://www.pciaa.net/web/sitehome.nsf/lcpublic/176/$file/Wildfire_Prep_TollFree_Nos.pdf

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PCI is composed of more than 1,000 member companies, representing the broadest cross-section of insurers of any national trade association. PCI members write over $190 billion in annual premium, 40 percent of the nation?s property casualty insurance. Member companies write 46 percent of the U.S. automobile insurance market, 32 percent of the homeowners market, 38 percent of the commercial property and liability market, and 41 percent of the private workers compensation market.

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Source: http://www.pciaa.net/LegTrack/web/NAIIPublications.nsf/lookupwebcontent/FF35DCB0FE348AEA86257A5C0074CC9

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