Insurance Claim Services in California
When Disaster Strikes, You Deserve an Advocate Who Knows the System
Navigating a property insurance claim after a loss isn’t easy. You’re faced with reading your policy, documenting damage, negotiating with your insurer, and keeping track of deadlines you’ve probably never dealt with before. Insurance companies have professionals working their side of every claim. We work yours.
With over 50 years of combined experience inside major insurance carriers and legal claims departments, we understand exactly how insurers evaluate losses, where settlements fall short, and what it takes to present a claim that reflects the full scope of your loss. Every claim we take is handled personally, from the first call to the final settlement.
What Is an Insurance Claim?
An insurance claim is a formal request to your insurance company for financial coverage after your property has been damaged or lost. Whether it’s a fire, a flood, a burst pipe, or a major storm, a valid claim lets you recover the cost of repairs, replacements, temporary housing, and other expenses your policy covers.
The process isn’t always straightforward. Insurers require extensive documentation, conduct their own inspections, and negotiate based on their own financial interests. Their adjusters are trained professionals working to protect the insurance company’s bottom line. That’s exactly why having an experienced public adjuster in your corner makes such a difference.
Documentation matters more than most people realize. A claim backed by thorough damage assessment, realistic repair costs, and sound policy interpretation consistently settles higher than one handled without professional support.
We manage every aspect of that process for you, from the first inspection through the final negotiation. Our goal is to make sure the full scope of your loss is on the table and every benefit your policy covers gets claimed.
Why California Policyholders Need Extra Protection Right Now
California’s insurance market is in serious trouble. Major insurers have pulled out of high-risk areas, thousands of homeowners have been pushed onto the FAIR Plan, and the aftermath of the January 2025 Eaton and Palisades fires left many policyholders waiting over a year for fair settlements.
New California laws taking effect in 2026 have strengthened some policyholder protections, but insurance companies aren’t required to explain those rights to you. Delays, underpayments, and outright denials are still common, especially for fire, smoke, and water claims in Southern California.
In this environment, working with a licensed public adjuster who knows California insurance law, understands how the FAIR Plan operates, and has spent years working inside major carriers is one of the smartest decisions a California property owner can make. We bring all of that to your claim from day one.
Get Your Free Claim ReviewWhat You Should Know About Filing an Insurance Claim
The insurance claims process can feel overwhelming, but being informed and proactive can make all the difference. Here are some essential tips to guide you through it and maximize your settlement:
1. Report the Loss Promptly
Most policies require you to notify your insurer within a reasonable time after a loss. Don’t wait. Report the damage as soon as it’s safe to do so and get your claim number in writing.
2. Document Everything Before Cleanup Begins
Photograph and video all visible damage, including walls, floors, ceilings, contents, and exterior areas, before any cleanup or repairs start. What you capture in those first hours can make or break your claim.
3. Keep All Damaged Items Until They Are Documented
Even items that look unsalvageable should stay on the property until they’ve been reviewed and photographed. Discarding anything before it’s documented can reduce your payout.
4. Know That Your Policy Has Deadlines
Most policies set deadlines for filing, submitting proof of loss, and making repair decisions. These timelines vary by policy and by the type of event. If you’re not sure where you stand, reach out to us before taking any action.
Not sure where to start?
A free claim review with us costs nothing and takes less time than you’d expect. We’ll walk you through your coverage, explain your options, and give you an honest read on what your claim is worth before you make any decisions.
Get Your Free Claim ReviewComprehensive Residential Claims Services
Your home is the center of your life, and when it’s damaged, every day without a fair settlement is a day your recovery stalls. We manage residential property insurance claims of every type, making sure your loss is thoroughly documented, every applicable coverage is on the table, and your insurer is held to what your policy actually promises.
Fire Damage
A fire doesn’t just cause physical damage. It disrupts everything. The aftermath involves smoke contamination, water damage from firefighting efforts, structural uncertainty, and the loss of personal property that can never be replaced. We make sure every layer of a fire loss is documented and included in your claim, from structural repairs to contents replacement to temporary housing costs.
What you may not know:
Smoke particles can contaminate walls, HVAC systems, and soft goods well beyond the areas that burned. Proper remediation goes far deeper than visible cleanup, and your claim should cover the real price of making your home safe to live in again.
Learn more about fire damage claimsWater Damage
Water damage from burst pipes, appliance failures, roof intrusion, or flooding can cause immediate visible destruction and long-term hidden damage to walls, flooring, insulation, and building systems. Insurers frequently try to classify water losses as maintenance issues or gradual damage, using that framing to limit or deny your coverage.
What you may not know:
Hidden water damage behind walls and under flooring is easy to miss in a rushed insurer inspection. We document both what’s visible and what isn’t, so your settlement reflects the true cost of restoring your home properly, not just what the insurance company’s adjuster was willing to see.
Learn more about water damage claimsWind & Storm Damage
Storm and wind damage in California can range from missing shingles to significant structural compromise from falling trees or debris. Insurers often push for partial repairs when full replacement is the right call, especially on roofing systems.
What you may not know:
When part of a roof or exterior is storm-damaged, matching materials for a partial repair can be difficult or impossible. California policyholders have rights around repair scope and material matching that insurers don’t always acknowledge on their own.
Wildfire Claims
California wildfires cause losses that go far beyond burned structures. Smoke and ash travel miles, contaminating properties that were never anywhere near the fire line. HVAC systems, soft goods, electronics, and air quality can all be affected even when a home looks untouched from the outside.
What you may not know:
California law provides extended Additional Living Expense benefits for wildfire victims in declared disaster areas. Many insurers don’t proactively disclose this. We make sure you receive every bit of ALE coverage your situation entitles you to.
Theft & Vandalism
Theft and vandalism claims go beyond replacing stolen items. Forced entry, broken windows, damaged locks, and structural repairs all belong in your claim. Insurers frequently undervalue personal property by applying steep depreciation or by rejecting items that weren’t properly documented at the time of the loss.
What you may not know:
Many California policies cover security upgrades, including lock replacement and monitoring systems, following a covered theft or vandalism event. These costs get overlooked in initial settlements more often than you’d think, and we make sure they don’t get left out of yours.
Earthquake and Structural Collapse
Earthquake damage is often deeper than what’s immediately visible. Hairline cracks, shifted foundations, and compromised structural supports may not show up until a professional inspection is done. Insurers sometimes attribute earthquake damage to pre-existing conditions to limit what they’ll pay.
What you may not know:
Some earthquake policies have short filing windows, sometimes as few as 60 days from the date of loss. If your property was affected by seismic activity, moving quickly and documenting damage thoroughly isn’t optional. It’s how you protect your claim.
Learn more about earthquake claimsAdditional Living Expenses
When your home is uninhabitable after a covered loss, you’re entitled to coverage for temporary housing, meals, storage, transportation, and other displacement costs. Insurers don’t always explain ALE benefits upfront, and coverage is sometimes cut off before repairs are finished.
What you may not know:
California law provides a minimum of 36 months of ALE coverage for wildfire victims in declared disaster areas, and insurers are required to issue advance payments without waiting for a full itemized claim. Because these laws have recently changed, we strongly recommend speaking with us before making any long-term housing decisions.
What Working With Chris and Jo Looks Like
Personal Involvement on Every Case: This isn’t a firm where your claim gets handed off to a junior adjuster or passed around a rotating staff. We handle every case directly, so you always know who to call and exactly where your claim stands.
Inside-the-Industry Knowledge: Chris spent 23 years inside major insurance carriers before founding CFPA. Jo worked in carrier claims departments and legal claims analysis. We know how insurers build their cases, and we use that knowledge to build yours.
Results That Speak for Themselves: Over 40,000 claims managed across our careers. Multiple complex, high-value settlements for California homeowners, landlords, and businesses. Decades of results getting policyholders what their policies actually provide.
No Upfront Cost: We work on a contingency basis. There are no fees unless we recover additional funds for you. A free claim review is always the first step.
Ready to Talk Through Your Claim?
Whether you’re at the start of a loss, in the middle of a dispute, or questioning a settlement you’ve already received, a free claim review costs nothing and comes with no strings attached.
Get Your Free Claim ReviewCommercial and Business Claims
For business owners, property damage means more than repair costs: it means lost revenue, disrupted operations, displaced employees, and real damage to customer relationships you’ve spent years building. We handle commercial property claims with the same personal attention we give every residential client, making sure every layer of your business loss is documented and recovered.
Built for Local Businesses
From small retail shops and restaurants to multi-unit properties and professional offices, we work with business owners throughout Santa Clarita, Los Angeles County, and Ventura County. We know what’s at stake when a property loss threatens the business you’ve built inside it.
Types of Business Claims
Business Interruption Claims
When a covered loss forces you to pause or scale back operations, your policy may cover lost income, payroll, and ongoing expenses during the closure period. Many policies also cover temporary relocation or expedited repairs to get you back open faster. We track down every applicable benefit and make sure none of it gets left on the table.
Structural Damage Claims
From damaged storefronts to compromised office interiors, structural losses require thorough documentation to establish what repairs are actually needed. We advocate for complete restoration to pre-loss condition, not whatever minimum repair gets the building technically functional again.
Equipment and Inventory Losses
Restaurants, retailers, medical offices, and other businesses that depend on specialized equipment or inventory have unique claim needs. We document replacement costs at current market value rather than accepting the depreciated figures insurers prefer.
Vandalism and Theft Claims
Commercial vandalism and theft claims involve property repairs, lost inventory, business interruption during closure, and sometimes upgraded security costs. We build a claim that addresses all of it, including the losses that aren’t obvious at first glance.
Additional Operating Expenses
After a loss, businesses often incur costs they didn’t see coming: temporary staffing, equipment rentals, storage, and even marketing to let customers know you’re reopening. Many of these are covered under your policy and we make sure they’re in the claim.
Utility and Service Interruption Claims
If a covered event disrupts utility services to your property, the resulting business losses may be claimable. We review your policy for utility and service interruption coverage and document the financial impact of any extended outage.
Serving the Santa Clarita Valley and Beyond
Local businesses are the backbone of communities throughout the Santa Clarita Valley, Ventura County, and greater Los Angeles. We know what a property loss means for a business that serves its neighborhood and the people who depend on it. Commercial claims get the same urgency and thoroughness from us as residential ones, because the stakes are just as high.
Why Small Business Owners Choose Us
Direct Access to Chris and Jo: Your claim is never handed off to a support team or lost in a queue. You work directly with Chris and Jo from the first call through final settlement.
Knowledge of Commercial Policy Complexity: Commercial policies involve multiple coverage types that interact in ways residential policies don’t. Business interruption, equipment breakdown, tenant improvements, and liability coverage all require careful coordination, and missing one can cost you.
Current Market Valuations: We document losses based on current replacement costs, not depreciated values. Your settlement should reflect what it actually costs to rebuild and reopen, and we don’t accept less than that.
No Upfront Cost: Our fee is a percentage of what we recover for you. If we don’t increase your settlement, you don’t owe us anything. There’s no risk to getting a second opinion on your claim.
Protect Your Business Before, During, and After a Loss
A property insurance claim can threaten everything you’ve worked to build. We’re here to make sure your claim gets the attention it deserves, your coverage is fully utilized, and your recovery moves forward as quickly as possible.
Get Your Free Claim ReviewFrequently Asked Questions About Insurance Claims
What's the difference between an insurance company adjuster and a public adjuster?
An insurance company adjuster works for and is paid by your insurance company. Their job is to evaluate your claim in a way that protects their employer’s financial interests. A public adjuster works exclusively for you. Our job is to document your full loss, identify every dollar your policy provides, and negotiate until a fair settlement is reached.
When should I contact a public adjuster?
As early as possible. The sooner we’re involved, the more we can protect your claim from documentation errors, premature settlements, and missed coverage. That said, we can also assist with claims that are already in progress or settlements that have already been paid if you believe the outcome was not fair.
How much does it cost to hire Chris Faber Public Adjusters?
There are no upfront costs. We work on a contingency basis, meaning we’re only paid if we recover additional funds for you. The free claim review is always the first step with no obligation to move forward.
Can you help with both residential and commercial claims?
Yes. We handle the full range of residential and commercial property damage claims including fire, wildfire, water, storm, earthquake, flood, vandalism, business interruption, and additional living expenses.
What if my insurance company already made me an offer?
Don’t accept it without a second opinion. Initial settlement offers are based on the insurer’s assessment and frequently don’t reflect current repair costs, hidden damage, or all applicable coverage. A free review with us costs nothing and may reveal you’re owed significantly more.
Do you handle FAIR Plan claims?
Yes. Many California homeowners were pushed onto the FAIR Plan after private insurers withdrew from high-risk areas. FAIR Plan claims come with specific challenges including smoke damage denials and ALE disputes. We have experience navigating FAIR Plan policies and the issues that commonly arise with them.
What areas of California do you serve?
We are based in Santa Clarita and serve property owners throughout California with particular depth in Los Angeles County, Ventura County, and communities across Southern California including Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Calabasas, Pasadena, Altadena, and surrounding areas. If you’re in California, we can help.
What types of damage claims do you handle for businesses?
We handle the full range of commercial property damage claims including structural damage, business interruption, equipment and inventory losses, vandalism and theft, additional operating expenses, and utility and service interruption claims.
