What to Do After Losing Your Home in the Maui Wildfire

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Losing your home in a wildfire can be devastating both emotionally and financially. In July 2024,  the median sale price for homes nationally was $422,600. On Maui, it was almost triple that. 

During the 2023 Maui wildfires, more than 2,000 homes were lost. If you lost your home in the Maui wildfires, there are certain things you can do to help minimize the stress of the process and maximize the compensation you receive for your loss – starting with contacting Morgan & Morgan for a free case evaluation. Read on to learn more.

Ensure Your Safety

Your top priority should be the safety of you and your loved ones. Move to a safe location, whether it’s a friend’s house, hotel, or shelter. If you think your home has been damaged, don’t risk going back until local officials say it’s safe to do so.

Once you’re safe, take a moment to catch your breath. Losing a home is traumatic. You need to take time to process what just happened. Don’t be afraid to reach out to your family, your community, and a mental health professional for support. 

Get Immediate Medical Attention

You should seek medical attention right away, even if you don’t seem or feel injured. That’s because some injuries, like internal bleeding or trauma, take time to show their symptoms. In some cases, by the time you’ve realized you’re injured, it’s too late to get the help you need. Don’t let that happen to you. 

While at it, keep a record of any medical treatment you receive. You’ll need this information later when you file a claim for compensation.

Document the Damage

You should only do this once everyone is safe and you’ve addressed any medical concerns. Take photos or videos of everything affected, inside and out. This includes but is not limited to damage to walls, ceilings, personal belongings, and anything else impacted by the disaster. The more documentation you have, the better your chances of proving your loss.  

Contact Your Insurance Company

In general, it’s best to notify your insurance company about the disaster as soon as possible. Don’t assume they already know, even if it’s been covered by the news.

Remember, each insurance policy has its own deadline for reporting such incidents. If you miss the deadline, the insurer may have no legal obligation to pay your claim. 

When reporting the incident, stay calm and stick to the facts. Don’t exaggerate your loss, as this could give the insurance company grounds to challenge your claim. Be honest and provide the documentation you’ve gathered.

Keep Important Documentation Safe

Keep all important documents organized and secure. This includes your insurance policy, photos of the damage, receipts for any temporary repairs, and medical records if anyone was injured.

Having these documents easily accessible will make it easier to handle your claim. You’ll also need them to strengthen your case if you decide to seek legal help.

Avoid Quick Settlements

It’s tempting to accept the first settlement offer from your insurance company, especially when you're in such a tough situation. But don’t rush into it.

Insurance companies often offer quick settlements to close cases quickly. The problem here is that these offers may not fully cover your losses. 

If the offer is unfair, you have the right to negotiate. If the insurer refuses to be reasonable, it’s time to get an attorney. 

Common Challenges You May Encounter

Dealing with insurance companies after losing your home isn’t always straightforward. Here are a few common challenges you might face during the process.

Selfish Interests

Insurance is a business, and insurance companies exist to make profits. So, when dealing with your insurance company in the wake of a disaster, you should carefully consider the insurance company’s actions and whether they have your best interests at heart.

To you and everyone else, that sounds selfish. To insurance companies, that’s business. 

Lowball Offers

Insurance companies often offer you less than what your claim is worth. It’s in their financial interests to do so.

They may try to settle quickly with a low offer that doesn’t cover the cost of rebuilding or replacing your belongings. So you should consider consulting an attorney or an independent adjuster for a second opinion on your insurance company’s settlement offer.

Claim Denials 

Your insurer might even deny your claim altogether. They may argue that the damage isn’t covered by your policy. Others may deny technicalities that you were entirely unaware of. 

If you believe the denial is unfair, it’s worth having your case reviewed by an experienced attorney. If the insurance company’s reason for denying your claim is unjustified, then you’ll have a case against them.

Your attorney can help build a strong case for you and hopefully convince the insurer to settle out of court. If the insurer continues playing hardball, your attorney might decide to take the case to court. 

Why You Need the Right Lawyer 

When you deal with your insurance company alone, they may try to manipulate you to settle for less or even give up entirely. So, having the right lawyer on your side can make all the difference.

However, not all lawyers are the same. Some may have your best interests at heart but lack the experience or resources to take on big insurance companies. You want someone who not only has your best interests at heart but is also prepared to fight for you.

If that’s what you’re looking for, contact Morgan & Morgan today for a free case evaluation. 

Why Morgan & Morgan?

We are America’s largest injury firm. We fight the bullies so our clients don’t have to. And, with more than 500,000 clients represented and more than $20 billion in damages recovered for the injured, our track record speaks for itself. The best part of it is that the fee is free unless we win. 

Advertising Material. Bora S. Kayan, Esq. is responsible for the content of this advertisement. Cases may be associated with, or referred to, other law firms as co-counsel or referral counsel in these and other jurisdictions. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. This post is not legal advice. If you need legal advice, you should consult a lawyer.