THE DIVISION OF Insurance is offering its services to the victims of these devastating wildfires. Nevada Insurance Commissioner Alice A. Molasky-Arman encourages Nevadans to contact the Division at 1 (800) 992-0900 if they have problems resulting from the wildfires and gives this advice to consumers who suffer losses during the 2007 wildfire season.

Mitigate Your Losses

You have the responsibility under the terms of your policy to take reasonable and necessary steps to prevent further loss.

• Make whatever temporary repairs you can. Document all repairs with before-and-after photographs.
• Keep detailed records, including all receipts, of any expenses you incur while repairing your property so that your insurer can reimburse you for reasonable repair expenses.
• Secure a detailed estimate for permanent repairs from a reliable contractor.
• Pay your premiums. If you do not have access to your insurance-related documents and you believe your premium payment is due, you should take steps to pay your premium so coverage does not lapse. Call your insurer or agent to make arrangements.

Filing a Claim

• Contact your insurer or agent as soon as possible. Let them know your temporary forwarding address and phone number. Check to see if additional living expenses are covered.
• Take a detailed inventory of personal property that is damaged or destroyed by the fire or smoke. Include a description of the items, dates of purchase, cost of purchase and estimated replacement cost.
• Take photos of the damaged area and property and gather any available documentation such as receipts, photos, video, and canceled checks. This will help the adjuster assess the value of the destroyed property.

Look out for Deceptive Service Providers

While most service providers are trustworthy, there are dishonest people who will take advantage of these disasters in order to carry out home-repair fraud and other schemes. The Division offers these tips to avoid becoming a victim of fraud:

• Shop around before selecting a contractor or repairman. Get written estimates and check references.
• Don't be pressured into signing a contract. Never sign a contract with blanks. The contract should include the contractor's name, business name, phone number and address.
• Get everything in writing. The contract should include a detailed description of the work to be performed, the quality of materials to be used, the starting and completion dates, the payment schedule and total cost, any warranty terms and the contractor's signature.
• Do not let work begin on the property until the contract is signed. Do not pay the contractor in full or sign a certificate of completion until the work is completed.
• Be wary of contractors or repairmen who solicit door-to-door. Only deal with licensed and insured contractors.

Other Resources

For the best source of insurance-related information, visit the Division of Insurance Web site at doi.state.nv.us. If you have questions about your insurance, please call the Consumer Services Section of the Division at (775) 687-4270. For more information on what to do before, during and after a fire, visit www.livingwithfire.info.