If you are one of the thousands of people who have been displaced by a California wildfire in recent years, you may be facing expensive evacuation, relocation and rebuilding costs. These costs can be financially and emotionally overwhelming for you and your family. Learn how to recover the value of your relocation expenses after a wildfire for greater peace of mind during this difficult time and how our Eaton Fire attorneys can help if you are a victim of the 2025 Altadena fires.
What Do “Relocation Expenses” Include?
A wildfire can force individuals and families to relocate from their homes temporarily or permanently. The immense damage that can be caused by a wildfire may prompt emergency evacuations. In many cases, those displaced must seek temporary refuge elsewhere. The costs of relocation can add up quickly. Relocation expenses can refer to any costs incurred when a wildfire forces you out of your home, such as:
- Emergency shelter
- Temporary housing in a hotel or rental unit
- Daily expenses, such as food, clothing and supplies
- Utility and electricity costs at the temporary residence
- Furniture rentals
- Travel, transportation or vehicle rentals
- Storage costs for your salvaged personal belongings
- Moving costs
After leaving your home due to a wildfire, be sure to keep all bills and receipts associated with your evacuation and the time you spend in a temporary location while your home is being repaired or rebuilt. If a wildfire forces you to leave your old neighborhood behind for good and purchase a new home, this also falls under relocation expenses.
Who Pays for Relocation Costs After a Wildfire?
If your home is not habitable due to a wildfire, your property insurance policy should pay for your relocation expenses under Additional Living Expense (ALE) coverage, also known as Loss of Use or Fair Rental Value insurance. The typical time limit for collecting ALE insurance benefits is 24 months, with an extension of 12 months available for reconstruction delays and an additional 6 months with “good cause.”
Wildfire Litigation for Relocation Expense Recovery
Another option for recovering the costs of wildfire relocation in California could be filing a lawsuit, depending on the circumstances. If an investigation determines that someone negligently caused or contributed to the wildfire (such as a utility company), evidence of this negligence may give you grounds to file a lawsuit against the responsible party. In some cases, under California’s inverse condemnation doctrine, utility companies can be held strictly liable for wildfires caused by their equipment, even without proof of negligence. With this type of claim, you could seek compensation for all of your wildfire-related costs beyond insurance policy limits.
Tips for Recovering Full Compensation for Wildfire Relocation Costs
Relocation expenses should not be underestimated or overlooked when calculating how much a California wildfire has cost you and your family. The most effective way to seek maximum financial compensation for relocation costs (in addition to your other damages) is by hiring an experienced wildfire litigation lawyer in California for assistance.
A lawyer can help collect key evidence to support your claim, including your hotel bills or rental agreements, utility records, receipts for out-of-pocket expenses, and expert testimony proving negligence, if necessary. Photographs and video evidence can also be used to accurately document the damage your home or personal property suffered in the wildfire. To discuss your options for recovering financial compensation after a wildfire in California, including your family’s relocation costs, contact Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian to request a free consultation.