Texas Wildfire Resource Page
Current Information | Governor's Division of Emergency Management | Federal Disaster Assistance | Report Suspected Arson | Insurance Tips After a Wildfire | Help Us Prevent Insurance Fraud | File an Insurance Complaint | TDI News Releases
The typically hot and dry summer season also brings with it the major threat of wildfires causing damage and destruction to homes and property. Seven out of the last 10 years have seen significant fire seasons. In 2005 and 2006, 29,000 wildfires burned more than 2.2 million acres that resulted in $556 million in property damage.
Current Information
Daily Fire Danger Map
Map of burn bans and local disaster declarations
Current Wildfire Conditions and Information from the Texas Forest Service
Governor's Division of Emergency Management
The Governor's Division of Emergency Management (GDEM) is responsible for the state's emergency management program and manages the State Operation Center (SOC that monitors threats, notifies the public of possible threats, provides emergency information to local, state and fderal officials, and assists local governments when state emergency assistance is needed.
The following resources are available from the GDEM:
SOC Situation Reports
Wildfire Preparedness Tips
Federal Disaster Assistance
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Federal disaster aid is available for Texas to supplement state and local recovery efforts. Individual assistance is available for affected ;individuals in presidentially declared disaster areas. This assistance includes grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster. Consumers whose property has been damaged may register with FEMA by phone or on the FEMA website
1-800-621-FEMA (3362)
http://www.fema.gov/assistance/index.shtm
American Red Cross
If you have immediate emergency needs for food, clothing, shelter, or medical care, contact one of the local offices of the American Red Cross.
1-866-438-4636
http://www.redcross.org
Report Suspected Arson
Gov. Rick Perry has directed state authorities to investigate and aggressively pursue anyone who has intentionally started wildfires at the risk of destroying property and lives. According to the Texas Forest Service, 90 percent of Texas wildfires are caused by humans. The State Fire Marshal's Office has initiated a 24-hour toll-free hotline to report suspected arson fires and county burn ban violations.
1-877-434-7345
Insurance Tips After a Wildfire
- If you have a wildfire loss, contact your insurance company as soon as possible. Keep a record of all contacts you have with your company. Be prepared to answer questions about the extent and severity of the damage. If the home is a total loss because of fire, the company must pay the full amount of insurance as stated in the policy for the dwelling.
- If you need general insurance information or have a complaint about your insurance company, call the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) Consumer Help Line Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
1-800-252-3439
463-6515 in Austin
- Make a list of your damaged property. Photograph or videotape the damage if possible. Most homeowners policies automatically cover furniture, clothes, appliances, etc. for damage caused by fire. Refer to your policy to determine the amount of personal property coverage you have. Don't throw away damaged items until your insurance adjuster has had a chance to view them.
- If there is partial damage to your home, take reasonable and necessary repairs to protect your home and property from further damage. Cover broken windows and holes to keep rain out. Don't make permanent repairs until instructed by your insurance company. Keep a record of your repair expenses and save all receipts.
- If you need financial assistance, ask your agent for an advance payment. Contact your local Red Cross for additional help. The Federal Emergency Management Agency may have opened a Disaster Recovery Center in your area, which can provide additional assistance.
These points are intended for general informational purposes only and do not in any way amend or alter the actual policy provisions. Please review your individual policy for specific coverage and conditions.
- Most residential property policies provide coverage for damage to covered property caused by fire.
- If the home is a total loss because of fire, the company must pay the full amount of insurance as stated in the policy for the dwelling.
- Most homeowners policies automatically cover personal property, furniture, clothes, appliances, etc. for damage caused by fire. Please refer to your policy to determine the amount of coverage you have available for your personal property.
Replacement Cost Coverage vs. Actual Cash Value (ACV)
- Replacement cost is what you would pay to rebuild or repair your home, based on current construction costs. Actual cash value is based on the replacement cost of the dwelling minus a deduction for depreciation. Most companies require you to carry insurance to cover at least 80 percent or more of the replacement cost of your home.
- If you have replacement cost coverage on your home when a loss occurs, the company will initially pay an amount commonly referred to as actual cash value. You will have a period of time (usually 180 to 365 days, depending on policy provisions) to make the repairs. When repairs are complete, the company will then pay the remaining amount owed on your claim.
- If you do not have replacement cost coverage on your home when a loss occurs, the company will pay only the actual cash value of the property at the time of loss. If your home is destroyed and you only have actual cash value coverage, you may not be able to completely rebuild it.
- If you have replacement cost coverage for personal property when your loss occurs, your loss will be paid on an actual cash value basis until the property is repaired or replaced. You will have a period of time (as on the dwelling, usually 180 to 365 days depending on policy provisions) to repair or replace the property. Upon replacement, the company will pay the difference between the actual cash value previously paid and the replacement cost. Some policies, however, will pay the replacement cost of your damaged personal property up to $1,500 and the actual cash value of your remaining damaged personal property.
- The company will only pay actual cash value or replacement cost up to the limit of insurance shown on the declarations page of your policy.
Additional Living Expense (ALE) or Loss of Use
- Most policies provide ALE coverage if you are unable to live in your home due to loss by a covered peril. You should contact your agent and/or company as soon as possible.
- ALE provides coverage for the additional expenses incurred by you in order to maintain your family?s normal standard of living. Most policies pay up to 20 percent of the amount stated in your policy for the dwelling. For prompt payment of your additional living expenses, provide your insurance carrier with documentation regarding your special disaster-related expenditures Keep your receipts. When possible, the documentation should include the vendor, date, and amount. Remember that different insurance policies may have different coverages.
Deductibles
- Most homeowners policies contain two deductibles; one applies to windstorm and hail losses and one applies to all other losses. Typically, the deductible for a fire loss will be included in the all other losses deductible. Please refer to your policy.
Help Us Prevent Insurance Fraud
Disaster-Related Fraud
A disaster can lure crooked building contractors and public insurance adjusters. They'll try to exploit the confusion and emergency conditions and swindle you and your insurance company. For more information, please see TDI's Disaster-Related Fraud Consumer Alert.
Insurance Fraud Toll-Free Hotline - 1-888-327-8818
Online Fraud Reporting
Secure Transmission, Fast, Comprehensive, Easy Data Entry
File an Insurance Complaint
If you have a complaint against an insurance company or agent, you may file a complaint with TDI.
Insurance Complaint Forms
English Online Form
En Español En linea Forma | RTF Format | PDF Format
Easy Print Form RTF Format | PDF Format
TDI News Releases
In the Event of a Loss Covered by Insurance
Teen Suspect Charged with Setting Wildland Fires in East Texas
For more information contact: ConsumerProtection@tdi.state.tx.us
Texas Department of Insurance
