As a result of the recent wildfires, local, state, and federal agencies have initiated a consolidated debris removal program. This action was taken due to the health and safety concerns associated with hazardous substances, ash, and other materials. Homeowners are being asked to sign a Right of Entry form in order to participate in this program. If the homeowner agrees to participate in the program and signs the Right of Entry Form the consolidated debris removal program is being done free of charge, whether the property owner is insured or not insured. If the property is insured, there will be no reduction in the homeowners’ coverages available for the rebuilding process.
As noted in the Right of Entry Form, if the homeowner has insurance in effect at the time of the wildfire that provides specified coverage for debris removal (i.e. a certain dollar amount or percentage), the homeowner authorizes that these specified debris removal benefits be paid directly to County up to the specified amount of coverage, after which the homeowner will not be liable for any further costs to County. In the event that coverage for debris removal are not provided on the basis of a specified amount but are included within another coverage category, payment to County shall be limited to the unused benefit amount (if any) in that coverage category after the residence is rebuilt, after which Owner shall not be liable for further costs to County. The benefits of this program would apply even if the homeowner decides not to rebuild in the same location but purchases a replacement home in another location.