Insurance association: Fourmile Fire evacuees should contact insurers now
By Laura Snider, Camera Staff Writer
Posted: 09/07/2010 11:09:32 AM MDT

The 3,500 Boulder County mountain residents who have been evacuated because of the Fourmile Fire should call their insurance companies right away -- even if they don't know whether their houses are still standing.

In general, people who have been forced out of their homes by a mandatory evacuation order have coverage for "additional living expenses" under their regular homeowners' insurance, which should provide them with money to cover things such as hotel rooms and groceries, according to Carole Walker, executive director of the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association.

"Unfortunately, no one thinks that the unthinkable can happen, but as we've seen, it can happen even on Labor Day weekend. It's just heartbreaking to see this," Walker said. "The good news is that a standard homeowner's insurance policy does cover damage to your structure and your personal belongings in the fire. And a lot of people don't realize that they have a certain amount of coverage for out-of-pocket expenses."

Walker said typical policies cover personal belongings up to a cap of between 50 percent and 70 percent of the value of the home.

Boulder County officials said at least 63 structures have been destroyed by the fire, and residents have not yet been contacted if their homes were among the ones that burned......