APCIA Urges Wildfire Survivors to Contact Insurers Immediately, Access Available Coverage, and Begin the Recovery Process

Raging Wildfires in Western States Demonstrates Why Congress and Policymakers Must Act on Wildfire Risk

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (August 2026) - As destructive wildfires continue to threaten communities across the West, the American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA) is encouraging residents impacted by wildfires across the west including California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon and Utah to contact their insurance company as soon as it is safe to do so and begin the claims process.

"Wildfire survivors are facing extraordinarily difficult circumstances, and insurers are committed to helping policyholders recover and rebuild," said Karen Collins, APCIA vice president, property & environment. "The most important step is to contact your insurer immediately and work closely with your claims representative throughout the recovery process."

The National Interagency Fire Center reports fire fighters are battling 98 large uncontained wildfires, and the National Preparedness Level is at 5, the highest level.

What Impacted Residents Should Do

APCIA recommends that wildfire survivors:

• Contact their insurance company or agent as soon as possible to report a claim.
• Keep receipts for temporary housing, meals, emergency purchases, and other expenses that may be eligible for reimbursement.
• If your home is lost, start preparing a list of damaged personal property and household contents.
• Work directly with their claims adjuster and maintain regular communication throughout the claims process.

Many homeowners and renters policies provide coverage for Additional Living Expenses (ALE) when a home becomes uninhabitable because of a covered loss. This coverage may help pay for temporary housing and certain increased living expenses while repairs or rebuilding are underway.

For Residents Not Currently Impacted

APCIA also urges residents across wildfire-prone states to take proactive steps before disaster strikes by conducting a financial and insurance checkup. The cost to rebuild a home has increased 49 percent since 2020, so it is vital that homeowners and renters take a close look at how much coverage they have to be sure it is enough to rebuild.

Homeowners and renters should:

• Review insurance policies annually and discuss coverage limits with their agent or company.
• Create or update a home inventory using photos, videos, and receipts.
• Store important insurance and financial documents electronically.
• Understand deductibles, policy limits, and available coverages before an emergency occurs.
• Create a five-foot safety zone around your home, removing ignition points where embers can land.

"A home inventory is one of the most valuable tools consumers can have following a disaster," Collins said. "Taking time now to document possessions and review insurance coverage can make the recovery process significantly smoother if a loss occurs."

Congress and Policymakers Must Act on Wildfire Risk

As communities across the West face severe wildfire conditions, APCIA is also renewing its call for policymakers to advance comprehensive wildfire mitigation measures, including passage of the Fix Our Forests Act.

The legislation would help reduce catastrophic wildfire risk through forest management, hazardous fuels reduction, vegetation management, and community wildfire resilience initiatives. APCIA has consistently supported the measure as an important step toward reducing wildfire losses and protecting lives, property, and economic stability.

"The growing frequency and severity of wildfires demand immediate action," Collins said. "Families, businesses, first responders, and communities across multiple states are paying the price for inaction. Congress and policymakers at every level should move quickly to advance the Fix Our Forests Act and other proven mitigation strategies that reduce wildfire risk before disasters occur."

"Insurance helps communities recover after catastrophes, but public policy must focus on reducing the underlying risk," said Collins. "Stronger forest management and wildfire mitigation efforts are essential to protecting lives, property, and the long-term availability and affordability of insurance."