Insurers to Cover Mudslides and Debris Flows Caused by Fires
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Friday Santa Paula Weather Forecast Sunny High 55˚F Low 37˚F The Community Voice of Santa PaulaTimesFriday, March 2, 2018 Volume 26, Number 18 • $1.00 Includes Sales Tax Insurance commissioner: Insurers to cover mudslides and debris flows caused by fires By Marianne Ratcliff Santa Paula Times California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones successfully pressed insurers in January to waive the inventory requirement in whole or in part for victims of the Thomas Fire, and early last month, he championed homeowners affected by mudslides, landslides and debris flows. His latest formal notice to insurers was issued less than a week before he met personally with Ventura County CEO Mike Powers and county Supervisors Kelly Long and Peter Foy in early February. That meeting followed a public presentation at Ventura College, where Jones said, “We are here today to provide assistance to Ventura County fire and mudslide survivors one on one.” In late January, Jones issued a formal notice to all property and casualty insurance companies “reminding them of their duty to cover damages from the recent mudslide and debris flows if it is determined that the ravaging of hillsides and vegetation by the Thomas and other fires California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones, far left, speaks with State Farm insurance company was the ‘efficient proximate representatives on hand at a public workshop for members of the public to have questions answered about cause of the mudslides,’” he said. “In general,” he continued, their insurance claims at Ventura College on Feb. 3. He is speaking with, from left, Gordon Mayfield of Dallas, “homeowners’ insurance policies Texas; Jose Rivas of Pismo Beach; John Grubaugh of Camarillo; Radi Stewart of Westlake; and Matthew exclude mudslide, debris flow and Birdswell of Tennessee. A “Helpful Honda” volunteer adopted Morris the cat when the Helpful other similar events.” Honda team visited SPARC on Feb. 20. “However, Jones put insurers shows the Thomas Fire or another online at www.insurance.ca.gov emergency personnel, residents on notice that both the Insurance peril covered by a homeowner’s for assistance. should continue to look out for Code and case law have established insurance policy was the efficient He also encourages residents their neighbors, Powers said. the legal doctrine of ‘efficient proximate cause of mudflow to get flood insurance. In addition to his formal ‘Helpful Honda’ visits SPARC with proximate cause,’ which means damage, I expect insurance “People are trying to figure notices to insurers, the insurance if the facts show the Thomas Fire, companies to step up and cover out their insurance policies,” commissioner, who is running for a covered peril, was the efficient these financial losses.” which is why having the insurance state attorney general, is backing donations and adopts Morris the cat proximate cause of the subsequent Jones said that prior to him commissioner bring his resources eight bills and two additional mudflow, mudslides, debris flow, issuing a formal notice about to Ventura County is so helpful, legislative proposals to strengthen There was an especially items. landslide, or other similar event, insurance companies covering said Supervisor Long, whose consumer protections for wildfire exciting day last week at Santa Schwarzenegger and the crew then damage caused by those mudslides and debris slides that supervisorial district includes survivors making insurance Paula Animal Rescue Center attended a playgroup for two large events should be covered under occur as a result of a fire, most Santa Paula. claims in the future. Among the (SPARC) when the “Helpful dogs named Brad and Angelina the property owner’s policy,” he insurers said they would not cover County CEO Powers and legislators supporting the bills is Honda” crew, along with and were generous with the dog stated in a press release. them. Since he issued the notice, Long spoke about ways county Ventura County Assemblywoman Katherine Schwarzenegger, treats. The crew met and filmed “Californians have suffered he said, “A number of them have Emergency Services is working Monique Limon, a Democrat who visited Ventura County’s first no- several other animals throughout greatly with all of the devastating changed their position.” to help notify people about represents the 37th District, which kill animal shelter to give SPARC the day as well. losses from the wildfires that struck Jones said he is encouraging risks of post-fire mudslides runs along the coast in Santa animals some “Random Acts of The day’s final highlight came the state in the last three months residents and business owners and debris flows through a Barbara and Ventura counties, Helpfulness!” when one of the Helpful Honda of 2017,” Jones said. “Preliminary affected by mudslides to file telephone alert system called and includes Santa Paula, During the Feb. 20 visit, the volunteers adopted Morris, a big indications are that the Thomas a claim with their insurance VCAlert. They encourage people Fillmore, Ojai, Ventura, Oxnard “Helpful Honda” crew donated orange cat who was hanging out Fire burned vegetation which company. If they have issues to sign up online to receive and unincorporated areas. (See items SPARC had on its wish list in the SPARC lobby. would otherwise have absorbed navigating the claims process or text alerts about evacuation and filmed for several hours to SPARC Executive Director rain fall and held soils in place, think their claim was wrongfully notices and weather advisories provide SPARC with videos for Nicky Gore-Jones said: “Katherine which, in turn, resulted in the denied, he encourages them at venturacountyrecovers.org or INSURANCE: use on social media. As soon as Schwarzenegger was amazing. mudflows, mudslides, debris to contact the Department of by calling 805-648-9283. SPARC receives the videos, they She connected with all the dogs she flows or landslides. If the evidence Insurance at 1-800-927-4357 or Along with listening to Continued on Page 3 will be posted. met and had no problem with the Nikki M. Reed, an executive slobbery ones! It was an amazing in the entertainment industry, day for SPARC’s animals to gain nominated SPARC for the some exposure and to enjoy the “Helpful Honda” program. Reed company of new people. Tickets going fast to honor Thille, Johnsons and more at Chamber dinner said that when she read about the “We are grateful to Honda emergency evacuation of SPARC for their generosity and the crew By Peggy Kelly to live, work, and play.” almost 25 percent of Santa Paula’s and most of the animals during the was outstanding. There was such Pitluk added, “We are also history as a city!” Santa Paula Times help keep our unique downtown Thomas Fire, she was moved to do a positive feeling for the animals honored to have as our guest He noted Mary Alice Orcutt Tickets are going fast for the area as beautiful as it is.” something to support the animals, and their plight from everyone speaker the honorable mayor of Henderson’s 1986 book, “Glancing March 8 Santa Paula Chamber Small Business of the Year so she asked Honda for help. involved. Santa Paula, Ms. Ginger Gherardi, Through the Headlines,” that of Commerce celebration of Zapparelli’s Pizzeria is the pizza Author and animal activist “We want to thank our guests who will present the Mayor’s covers the period of 1916 through caring and accomplishment at the place to go, said Pitluk. Katherine Schwarzenegger, the for this opportunity to spread Annual State of the City Address.” 1924, “captured so much of Santa Awards Banquet and State of the And, aside from tasty pizza daughter of former California the word about the animals at The March 8 celebration Paula; that is an awesome thing. City Address where Debbie and and must-not-miss lunch specials, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and SPARC.” dinner will be held at the Palazzio And you realize the Johnsons have Don Johnson will be honored with “look at all the youth teams they journalist Maria Shriver, was the SPARC is a “No-Kill, No- Events Center, 814 E. Main St., not only helped document Santa the Dr. Sam Edwards Lifetime support!” he said. host for the day, along with four Excuses,” 501(C3) city shelter/ Santa Paula, starting at 5:30 p.m. Paula’s history, but also been a Achievement Award and rancher/ Owner Gary Zapparelli has Honda volunteers who helped pound in Santa Paula where Tickets are $50 each; seating will part of that history. They’ve been philanthropist Dorcas Thille owned the restaurant for decades, unload and store donations of pet every single animal arriving gets be assigned for this grand party involved in every nook and cranny lauded as Citizen of the Year. running it as a franchise before food, toys and other much-needed a second chance at life. open to everyone. to make things better.” Armstrong Growers will be he became an independent, Pitluk said each recipient is Large Business of the recognized as Large Business of which allowed him to expand his unique, but all share in community Year Armstrong Growers has the Year and support of youth sports and the support and accomplishment. continued the good works of its Zapparelli’s Pizzeria lauded community. “Citizen of the Year Dorcas predecessor, DoRight’s Nursery, as Small Business of the Year. “We’re always there for our Thille had been a strong behind- since it purchased the company The Non-Profit Community pizza and our sandwiches, and the-scenes supporter her entire from Dianne and Dudley Davis, Service of the Year Award is Gary is such a valued member life,” who has carried on her late who founded America in Bloom. being given to the lifesaving of the community,” Pitluk said.