California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara is alerting residents to review their current insurance policies in the midst of a forecast of winter weather bringing the possibility of floods, mudslides, debris flows, and other disasters to recent wildfire burn areas throughout the state.

Lara issued a formal notice to insurance companies reminding them of their duty to cover damage from any future mudslide or similar disaster that is caused by recent wildfires that weakened hillsides.

The United States Geological Survey has projected increased likelihood of debris flow for fire-scarred areas of the state in the event of heavy rainfall.

Homeowners and commercial insurance policies typically exclude flood, mudslide, debris flow, and other similar disasters, unless they are directly or indirectly caused by a recent wildfire or another peril covered by the applicable insurance policy.

The California Department of Insurance has posted a fact sheet to answer questions about what policies cover.

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