Wildfire total losses
Palisades, Eaton, and other California wildfire claims — dwelling, other structures, contents, and additional living expense.
Property Damage Claims
California Property Damage Lawyer
Insurers routinely undervalue California property losses — especially after wildfires, when rebuild costs explode and contents inventories balloon. We push back to recover what your policy actually owes.
Reviewed by Ryan D. Kocaj, Founding Attorney — CA Bar No. 321680Last updated
California property damage claims are won (or lost) on the estimate. The number your carrier puts on your loss almost never reflects the true cost of repair, replacement, or rebuild in this state — particularly after a major wildfire, where labor and materials prices spike and code upgrades drive up rebuild scope.
We work with public adjusters, contractors, contents specialists, smoke and ash testing firms, and forensic accountants to document every dollar of loss your policy covers — then pursue full payment, with bad faith damages where the insurer's conduct calls for it.
Cases we take
What we handle
Each fact pattern is investigated with the same intensity — whether it settles before suit or proceeds through trial and appeal.
Smoke & ash contamination
Hidden contamination disputes, denied testing, and underpaid remediation scopes.
Fire & water damage
Structural fire, kitchen fire, slab leaks, pipe bursts, sewer backups, and hidden water damage.
Contents claims
High-value contents, special-limit categories (jewelry, art, electronics), and disputed inventories.
Additional living expense (ALE)
Rent, hotel, meals, mileage, and storage while displaced — wrongfully cut off or underpaid.
Storm, wind & vandalism
Wind, hail, vandalism, and theft losses denied or undervalued by the carrier.
Why this matters
The stakes are real.
California rebuild costs have moved dramatically over the past several years. A pre-loss replacement-cost calculation made three or four renewals ago rarely captures what it actually takes to rebuild today, especially with current code requirements for fire-resistant materials, defensible space, and seismic compliance. Insurers know this. They also know that exhausted policyholders accept lowball offers just to move on.
We build property damage claims like trial cases from day one — with the documentation, expert support, and legal pressure insurers respect.
Compensation we pursue
Damages available to you
- Full repair or replacement cost under your policy
- Code upgrade and ordinance-or-law coverage
- Contents — actual cash value and replacement cost
- Additional living expense (ALE) for the full period of restoration
- Diminished value, where applicable
- Bad faith damages and Brandt fees when the carrier acts unreasonably
What to expect
How we build your case
- 01
Document the loss
We coordinate independent estimators, contents specialists, and smoke/ash testing where appropriate to build a defensible scope.
- 02
Demand full payment
We present the loss with policy citations and force the carrier to take a position — accept, deny, or negotiate in good faith.
- 03
Litigate when necessary
If the insurer refuses to pay what your policy owes, we sue for breach of contract and tortious bad faith — and take it to trial if that is what it takes.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
My insurer says my smoke or ash claim does not need testing. Is that allowed?
Refusing reasonable testing for smoke or ash contamination — particularly after a major wildfire — can itself be a violation of California's Fair Claims Settlement Practices Regulations. We push insurers to authorize qualified testing or pay for it as part of the claim.
How long can my additional living expense (ALE) last?
ALE typically continues for the period reasonably required to repair or rebuild your home — subject to policy time limits. Carriers often try to cut ALE off prematurely. That decision can be challenged.
Can I bring a property damage and a bad faith claim at the same time?
Yes. Most of our serious property cases pair a breach-of-contract claim for the policy benefits with a tortious bad faith claim — see our insurance bad faith page for more on that recovery framework.
What does this cost?
Nothing up front. We handle property damage and bad faith cases on contingency. You pay nothing unless we recover.
Related practice areas
You may also be looking for
Many of our cases overlap with the areas below. Explore related representation we offer across California and Michigan.
Insurance Bad Faith
When the insurer's handling of your property claim crosses the line from breach of contract into tortious bad faith.
Learn about Insurance Bad FaithPremises Liability
When a third party's negligence caused the fire, flood, or other loss, third-party claims may run alongside your insurance recovery.
Learn about Premises LiabilityWrongful Death
When a property loss involves the death of a loved one, separate wrongful death and survival claims may apply.
Learn about Wrongful DeathNo Recovery. No Fee.
Injured? Let’s talk — your consultation is free.
You pay nothing unless we recover for you. Speak directly with Adam Kocaj today.