Reviewed source
State resource center
California claim resources.
A single starting point for California-specific guidance, primary sources, and the broader claim topics you may need next.
Reviewed guide updated September 21, 2023 · Fact-checked by Brelly Legal Team
The deep guide
The California Guide to Property Insurance Claims: Deadlines, Laws, and FAQs
In California you’ll find an extensive list of laws, rules, and deadlines that apply to homeowners, businesses, and professionals working on property…
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Making Your Claim -- Frequently Asked Questions
The first step in your property insurance claim is to notify your insurer about your losses. Not only is doing this the only way to get your claim moving, it’s one of your duties of a loss under your insurance policy.
Proving Your Loss - Frequently Asked Questions
After you’ve notified your insurance company and started your claim, you need to prove your losses to your insurance company. Proving that your property suffered losses and that those losses are covered under your insurance policy is at the heart of an insurance claim. As a result, it’s also the most difficult stage in the claims process and where policyholders most often make mistakes. Fortunately, California laws do provide you with basic protections at this stage under the California Insurance Code. Read more to understand how.
Getting Your Check -- Frequently Asked Questions
Getting reimbursed for your losses — it’s the reason you pay premiums. Here are answer to frequently asked questions as this last, critical stage in your insurance claim.
Primary sources
See where the guidance comes from.
The guide links sources beside the assertion they support. This directory provides a state-level route into the reviewed source set.
Reviewed source
§ 2071. Standard form
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§ 550. Notice of fire loss; effect of unnecessary delay
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§ 2051.5. Measure of indemnity under an open policy
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§ 2052. Request for examination of property; valuation
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§ 2053. Valuation clause
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§ 2054. Payment of loss under valued policy
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§ 2055. Limitation of liability
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§ 2056. Stipulations in valued policy
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§ 2057. Time of payment; interest; costs of collection; attorney fees
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§ 2058. Rebuilding or replacing; full payment for loss; valued policy
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§ 591. Contribution; fire and marine insurance
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§ 2060. Additional living expenses; state of emergency
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§ 2061. Covered loss relating to state of emergency
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§ 2062. State of emergency; grace period
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§ 10081. Residential property insurance; necessity of offer of earthquake peril coverage
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§ 10087. “Policy of residential property insurance” defined; proof of mailing
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§ 10088.5. Fire losses caused by earthquake; insurer not exempted by § 10088
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§ 10082.3. Loss requirements, appraisals, and adjusters
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§ 10089.70. Mediation program; eligible claims; goal of program
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§ 124.5. “Homeowners’ insurance” defined
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§ 675. Risks covered by chapter
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§ 551. Notice of casualty loss; 20-day period
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§ 552. Preliminary proof of loss
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§ 553. Waiver of defects
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§ 554. Waiver of delay
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§ 555. Proof by third party
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§ 580. Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer; Consent
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§ 790.03. Prohibited act
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California Code of Civil Procedure § 337. Four years; written contract; exception; book account; account stated based upon account in writing; balance of mutual, open and current account in writing; rescission of written contract
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