MALIBU, Calif., Oct. 26, 2007
Will Homeowners Get Burned Again?
In The Wake Of California Fires, Insurance Companies Assess Risk, Profit
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Play CBS Video Video Wildfire Insurance Claims Claims adjusters from every major insurance company have moved into Southern California to start handing out checks to victims, but consumer groups are calling for caution. John Blackstone reports.
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A California Department of Forestry firefighter battles flames from the wildfires, which are coming under control Friday. (Getty Images/Justin Sullivan)
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Photo Essay Faces Of The Fires Hundreds of thousands in Southern California try to cope with the wildfires.
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Interactive Southern Calif. Firestorm Photos, video and more from the devastating wildfires ravaging the region.
“This house is a total loss,” he said about one burnt-out estate.
He's part of an army from every major insurance company that moved quickly into southern California, even hanging out some early checks.
Consumer advocates say the industry's initial response to disaster is usually good - but that can change.
“As you get further away from the disaster, the insurance companies seem to get tighter and tighter as they squeeze harder and harder,” said taxpayer and consumer rights advocate Doug Heller.
From wildfires to landslides to earthquakes insurance companies face plenty of risks in California.
Still the state's a huge population has given companies $6 to $7 billion in profits in the last three years.
And nationally the industry made nearly $65 billion last year alone.
But there have also been some record payouts:
Compared to that, the estimates for the Southern California fires are barely a blip.
So even if the insurance companies had to pay $1 or $2 billion for these fires, they’d still be making money?
“There’s plenty of money in the insurance companies’ coffers here in California to cover these claims, and still be walking away with several billions of dollars in profits,” Heller said.
In the end all those billions come down to individuals depending on insurance to make things right . And disasters like this remind everyone, eveywhere to check their coverage, because the worst can happen.
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