Q: My home and property was completely destroyed in the CZU Fire in 2020. We elected to purchase a different home instead.
Our previous home was 4000sqft on 4.3 acres. Our new home is 2200 sqft on 48 acres. We had a 25% Home Protector Clause for upgrades to building codes. If we had elected to rebuild we would have used all of the Home Protector because the price of a new build was upward of 600 sq/ft for new construction. Instead of giving us our entire Home Protector, they deducted the land value and gave us only a portion of the home protector. I see the law changed in 2021 to explicitly state land value deduction is not allowed. Since the claim was in 2020, my adjuster at USAA is claiming that it doesn't apply to my policy. Thanks for your time.
A:
The change in the law regarding land value deduction should not be retroactively applied to claims from 2020. However, you may still have a valid argument for a fair settlement based on the terms of your policy and any applicable regulations at the time of the claim. Consult an attorney familiar with California insurance law to review your policy and determine the best course of action to ensure you receive a reasonable settlement.
James L. Arrasmith
Founding Attorney and Chief Lawyer of The Law Offices of James L. Arrasmith.
1 user found this answer helpful
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
