The first days after a disaster can feel overwhelming. Start with these essential insurance and housing steps to protect your recovery.

First Things First.

YOUR DISASTER PLAYBOOK

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You may be trying to find a place to stay, reconnect with family, replace essentials, and understand what is left of your home, all while people are asking for information and decisions. It is a lot.

For now, focus on the basics: open the claim, get your policy, understand the benefits available to you, and establish an appropriate budget for temporary housing. These early actions can make the weeks and months ahead much more manageable.

Take a Breath.
Then Take the First Step.

Watch advice for survivors of the 2025 LA Fires.

Your first STEPS

Contact your insurance company and report the loss. Get your claim number, your adjuster’s contact information, and instructions for submitting immediate expenses. Take notes during every conversation and confirm important decisions in writing.

1) Make the First Call.

Request the complete policy, including the declarations page, endorsements, and all policy forms. Then use our FREE Understanding Your Insurance Policy Tool to translate the fine print, identify important coverages and benefits, and prepare questions for your adjuster.

2) Understand Your Policy.

Track and organize evacuation and emergency expenses while you’re displaced, such as hotels and lodging, food, clothing, medicine and pet supplies. Use our FREE Evacuation Expenses Tool to document costs and submit them to your insurer for reimbursement.

3) Submit Evac Expenses.

Begin searching for temporary housing that fits your needs, considering location, pets, commutes, furnishings, and the expected length of displacement. Use our FREE Fair Rental Value Tool to evaluate your home, current listings, and local market conditions so you can establish a budget with your insurer.

4) Find Your Footing.

Request advances for temporary housing, clothing, food, transportation, and other immediate needs. Ask how each payment will be applied to your coverage, what documentation is required, and when you can expect the funds. Save every email, letter, receipt, payment record, and claim note from day one.

5) Ask for Money Now.

The Friendly Small Check

After a total loss in a disaster zone, your insurer should release initial funds for living expenses, dwelling coverage, or essential belongings without requiring a complete claim package.

The check will arrive with reassurance and a smile, but everyone knows your claim is worth far more. If you lost your home and receive $5,000 “to get started,” please call us.

You deserve WAY MORE.

Insurance Red Flag:

Feel free to give us a call

888-488-LOTI (5684)

A 6 Star, Hassle-Free Experience.

Our licensed public adjusters simplify the complex claim process with trusted expertise, modern tools, and ongoing support through every stage of your recovery.

This is what a truly hassle free claim experience looks like.

To get started, we've gathered a few helpful AI enabled tools & articles, but feel free to reach out to us directly for immediate help.

Free AI Tools & Articles.

INSURANCE POLICIES

Let’s Talk Policy translates complex insurance documents into a clear, structured guide you can easily understand. See what is covered, where limits apply, and where risk may exist so you can make informed decisions with confidence.

Learn About Your Policy.

EVACUATION EXPENSES

Turn evacuation and emergency-related receipts into one insurance-ready report. Just upload your hotel and food related receipts and receive a pre-formatted PDF ready to submit to your insurance carrier.

Submit Your Evacuation Expenses.

FAIR RENTAL VALUE

EVACUATION EXPENSES

FAIR RENTAL VALUE

Fair Rental Value is an AI enabled tool that uses real market data to estimate your home’s rental value using real data for a clear, defensible market number you can trust.

Know Your Fair Rental Value.

Turn evacuation and emergency-related receipts into one insurance-ready report. Just upload your hotel and food related receipts and receive a pre-formatted PDF ready to submit to your insurance carrier.

Submit Your Evacuation Expenses.

ORIENTING AROUND THE REST

Insurance Comms

Finding A Rental

When disaster strikes and you need to rebuild your home, finding a suitable long-term rental is a crucial step.

This is a guide to help you navigate this process, utilizing various services and resources to secure a comfortable and convenient temporary living situation.

Recovering and rebuilding after a disaster or incident is a complex process that often involves extensive communication with various insurance providers. Loti can help, but properly managing these communications is crucial to ensure you receive the coverage and support you need and this guide will help homeowners understand how to effectively communicate with their insurance companies.

A Fairy Tale

Don't know much about homeowner's insurance? That's ok - start here.

This is the story of Bill The Friendly Giant and an unlucky homeowner who learned how to read his insurance policy.

VISIT THE LEARNING HUB

Visit

The Learning Hub is Loti’s free resource center and the largest recovery library of its kind. Originally created to help fellow survivors, it’s open to everyone and includes RallyBacks, glossaries, and downloadable tools with clear guidance for every type of incident.