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Southern California Fire Update from Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner

Below is an important update on the southern California fires from Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner:

Dear Friends,

The southern California wildfires constitute the largest natural disaster in California since the Northridge earthquake of 1994.   I want to update you on this situation and provide assistance information for those who have been impacted by the fires.

Here's what we know so far:   

• 516,356 acres burned
• At least 15 fires have destroyed about 1,196 homes in Southern California
• Losses total at least $1 billion in San Diego County alone
• OES reports seven deaths and 106 injured by the fires

California's response has been unprecedented:   

• Thousands of CalFire firefighters have been battling the blazes for seven days
• 57 aircraft have been utilized to fight the fires.
• We have almost 50 special fraud investigators seeking out scam artists and other lawbreakers seeking to capitalize on this tragedy
• I declared an Insurance Emergency that will increase the number of insurance adjusters on site so that insurance claims will be processed as quickly as possible  

Please let your friends and family know that every effort is being made to ensure a new level of excellence in dealing with this situation.  Trained personnel from the California Department of Insurance are standing by ready to assist victims at each of the following OES/FEMA Centers:

Rancho Bernardo-Glassman Recreation Center
18448 W. Bernardo Drive
San Diego, CA 92127

Malibu Bluff's Park
24250 Pacific Coast Hwy 
Malibu, CA 90265

Fallbrook Community Center
341 Heal Lane
Fallbrook, CA 92028

Activities Center - George
A Caravalho, Santa Clarita Complex
20880 Centre Pointe Parkway
Santa Clarita, CA 91350

Rancho San Diego-Cuyamaca College
900 Rancho San Diego Parkway
El Cajon, CA 92109

Orange Show Fairgrounds
689 South E Street
San Bernardino, Ca 92408

If you have any questions at all, please contact the Department of Insurance's toll free number (800-927-HELP) or visit our special 2007 wildfires website at www.insurance.ca.gov.

To read more click here.

In Case You Missed It:  

Calif Insurance Commissioner Declares Insurance Emergency

ASSOCIATED PRESS 

Wednesday, October 24, 2007  

SAN FRANCISCO - California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner declared an "insurance emergency" on Wednesday because of the Southern California wildfires.

The declaration temporarily removes the ban on out-of-state claims adjusters lacking California licenses. Poizner said that lifting the ban will help insurance companies better deal with the expected crunch of fire claims. He estimated that more than $1 billion in property damage has already occurred.

Poizner last lifted the ban in January during a devastating crop freeze in the Central Valley.

During a press conference in San Francisco, Poizner also said that he is sending dozens of fraud investigators into the burned region to crack down on scam artists posing as claims adjusters and contractors. Poziner said he has already received reports of fraud, but no arrests have been made.  

Poizner said fire victims can call 1-800-927-HELP or log onto www.insurance.ca.gov for Department of Insurance guidance.

...

You can read the article at:

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/

20071024-1204-wst-californiawildfire-insurance.html.