In the wake of the Eaton Fire in Los Angeles County, a group of homeowners has come together to form Eaton Fire Residents United, a collective effort aimed at addressing the challenges of securing insurance coverage for wildfire contamination testing.
With many homes surviving the flames, residents are now facing the uncertainty of potential health risks from toxic smoke and ash, including lead and asbestos. However, insurance companies have been reluctant to cover the cost of testing, prompting this group to take matters into their own hands.
Nicole Maccalla, an Altadena resident, was among the first to experience the frustration of navigating insurance claims. Her home suffered significant damage from embers, leaving it filled with soot, ash, and debris. Despite initially being told by USAA that contamination testing would be covered, Maccalla’s claim was later denied.
“Every single item is a battle. It’s denials and appeals and denials and appeals, and you wait weeks and weeks and weeks for responses,” said Maccalla.
The insurer argued that testing was only applicable to homes with major structural damage, prompting her to challenge the decision.
Maccalla’s struggle, along with similar experiences from other homeowners, led to the formation of Eaton Fire Residents United. The group has since compiled environmental testing data from 81 homes, all of which show elevated levels of lead. Maccalla said the online map they created has already helped some residents convince their insurers to approve testing.
While many residents have paid out of pocket for private testing after being denied by their insurance companies, Eaton Fire Residents United aims to use its data to help others gain access to coverage.
The group’s efforts reflect growing frustration with insurance companies and a lack of federal or state intervention in addressing the issue.
The situation raises questions about whether insurance companies are adequately addressing the risks posed by wildfire smoke and contamination.
Legal experts and state officials are calling for clearer guidelines and standardized testing procedures.
Should insurers be required to cover contamination testing in wildfire-affected areas? Share your thoughts in the comments.
