December 8, 2020
Salem — The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation has reached an
agreement with several insurance companies to extend timelines to at least
two years from the date of loss for 2020 Labor Day wildfire victims to rebuild
homes and replace damaged personal property.
The following insurance companies have signed on to the rebuild timeline agreement:
| Allied Insurance | Harleysville Insurance | QBE |
| Allstate | Homesite Insurance | Safeco |
| American Family | Liberty Mutual | Scottsdale Indemnity |
| Austin Mutual | National Casualty Company | Sublimity Insurance |
| Crestbrook Insurance | Nationwide Insurance | United Heritage |
| CSAA General Insurance | NGM Insurance | USAA |
| Encompass Insurance | North Light Specialty | Western Protectors Insurance |
| Esurance | Oregon Mutual | |
| Grange Insurance | PEMCO Mutual | |
The complete list, including additional subsidiary companies, is listed on
the division’s wildfire insurance page that list will be updated as more insurance
companies commit to the agreement.
“The ability to rebuild homes after a catastrophic event is often delayed by
the need to effectively address safety hazards in the area and the increased
demand on construction resources,” said Andrew Stolfi, insurance commissioner
and director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services. “We are glad
to see these companies agree to provide time for wildfire victims to effectively
work through the recovery process.”
Many insurance policies limit the time a person has to rebuild their home after
it is damaged, and require that homes be rebuilt at the address listed on their
policy’s declarations page. This agreement also provides people the ability
to rebuild their homes at a different location.
The agreement helps accomplish three things:
- It alleviates demand on construction resources in wildfire damaged areas
- It allows victims the ability to recover faster
- It helps control the cost of construction by extending the rebuilding timeframe
This agreement does not extend the amount of additional living expense benefits
available under a policy, nor does it alter any other terms of the policy contract.
Visit the division’s wildfire insurance page for more information on this agreement,
watch videos of the virtual town halls, and review several insurance claim
tips.
If you have questions about the agreement or your claim, or if you do not see
your insurance company on the list, contact your agent or insurance company
for more information.
If you still have questions or concerns, the division’s consumer advocates
are here to help. Call 888-877-4894 (toll-free), email dfr.insurancehelp@oregon.gov
or visit dfr.oregon.gov/help to connect with the Advocacy Team.
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About DCBS: The Department of Consumer and Business Services
is Oregon's largest business regulatory and consumer protection agency. For
more information, visit www.dcbs.oregon.gov.
About Oregon DFR: The Division of Financial Regulation
is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s largest
business regulatory and consumer protection agency. Visit www.dcbs.oregon.gov and http://dfr.oregon.gov/Pages/index.aspx .