The widespread and horrific damage caused by the Eaton and Palisades fires (and others) is overwhelming. We pray that you and your loved ones are safe. All of us at SMPL Mortgage are safe but have been impacted by the fires in different ways.
We raised our families and grew our business right here, in Pasadena, Altadena, and for John, six years in Pacific Palisades. We share your sorrow and devastation. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, your loved ones, and everyone affected by this tragedy.
We believe in clients for life, and while life has thrown a curveball, we will recover, move forward, and care for our families, businesses, and community!
We’ve gathered a list of things to assist you in navigating the financial challenges ahead. We will continue to gather resources and information to help you take the next steps with your mortgage, insurance, and recovery process:
John Thompson, Kal Antoun, David Thompson, Jack Samartin, Scott Schroeder, and Jeff Bricmont
SMPL Mortgage
NOTE: As well-meaning as your friends are, PLEASE fact-check the advice you are getting before taking action. We continue to hear and see erroneous information on the claims process, lawsuit advice, and remediation ideas. There are lots of professionals right now willing to help at no expense!!
3/18/25
Hahn and Hahn Panel of Insurance Attorneys – Recovery update Guidance February 26, 2025
- County of Los Angeles: Property Relief for Properties Impacted by a Disaster
- FAQs for Wildfires and Other Emergencies Implications to Property Assessments/Tax Bills
- County of Los Angeles: Application for Reassessment (ADS-820.2)
- IRS: Instructions for Form 4684
- IRS: Form 4684 Casualties and Thefts
- United Policyholders: Home Inventory and Contents Claim Tips
- Guidance for Homeowners Navigating Insurance Claims After Property Loss
- Contractors State License Board: Ten Tips For Hiring a Contractor
- Contractors State License Board: Checklist for Prescreening Contractors
- CA Department of Real Estate Public Notice Executive Order N-7-25
2/12/25
100% Disaster Relief Mortgage up to $1.2M – https://vid.us/b6qahk
1/28/25
Unfortunately, price gouging is happening. Report it here – https://oag.ca.gov/LAFires
Orders to prevent predatory actions by real estate speculators: https://www.gov.ca.gov/2025/01/14/governor-newsom-issues-order-to-protect-fire-victims-from-predatory-real-estate-speculators/
New items (1/23/25):
FIRE info from the State of CA: https://www.ca.gov/LAfires/
SBA Disaster Recovery: 800-659-2955 disastercustomerservice@sba.gov
CA Dept of Insurance Tips for Wildfire Claimants: https://www.insurance.ca.gov/01-consumers/140-catastrophes/TopTenTips_WildfireClaimants.cfm
Financial Planning Association of the San Gabriel Valley: Can you provide Financial Advice Pro Bono? https://probono-lafire.paperform.co/
Hahn and Hahn Panel of Insurance Attorneys – Recovery Guidance Zoom Call Fantastic Info: https://vimeo.com/1051718805/55fd2691ff?share=copy January 16th
https://vimeo.com/1051686997/af805a593e?share=copy January 23rd
Executive Order CA Postpone your Property tax payments in certain zip codes: https://smplmortgage.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2025.01.16.-EO-Property-Tax-Penalties-Relief-bl-11.51am-GGN-Signed_.pdf
United Policy Holders: A really comprehensive resource to learn how to deal with your insurance company: https://uphelp.org/recovery/
UP Household Inventory Tool – use this to build your claim – https://uphelp.org/disaster-recovery-help/2024cawildfires/
Immediate Steps to Take:
1. Ensure Immediate Safety and Report the Fire
- Contact Emergency Services: Report the fire to authorities and obtain official documentation. This will be necessary for insurance and other processes. (FEMA Disaster Assistance)
- Ensure Safety: Do not return to your home until fire officials declare it safe.
2. Contact Your Insurance Company
- Wildfire Insurance Cheatsheet: From our partners at Weaver Insurance. Access Cheatsheet
- File a Claim: Start the claim process with your homeowner’s insurance as soon as possible. (National Association of Insurance Commissioners)
- Provide Necessary Documentation: Submit the fire report, photos of damage, and an inventory of lost items.
- Understand Your Policy: Review your coverage for rebuilding or replacement, personal property, and additional living expenses (ALE).
- Request an Advance Payment: Ask for an advance on your claim to cover immediate expenses.
3. Mortgage Servicing
- Contact Your Loan Servicer/Mortgage Lender: Notify your loan servicer about your property loss and discuss your options for temporary payment relief or assistance. Many servicers have programs to help homeowners after disasters.
- The most common loan servicers are here:
- UWM: https://uwm.loanadministration.com/uwm/#/login
- Wells Fargo: https://www.wellsfargo.com/mortgage/welcome/
- Loan Depot: https://servicing.loandepot.com/b2c/sign-up-sign-in/index.html
- Cenlar: https://www.loanadministration.com/cenlarfsb/#/login
- Chase: https://www.chase.com/personal/mortgage/my-mortgage/home
- Bank of America: https://www.bankofamerica.com/mortgage/servicing
- Mr Cooper: https://portal.mymrcservicemac.com/
4. Reverse Mortgages
- Contact us First.: We can help navigate complex decisions about your mortgage and insurance,
- Contact the Reverse Servicer: Use this link to start: Reversedepartment.com
- What do do after a Disaster with a Reverse Mortgage: https://smplmortgage.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/CFPB-guide-for-RM.pdf
5. Key Tips
- Stay Organized: Keep copies of everything related to this disaster.
- Understand Deadlines: Insurance claims and lender processes often have strict deadlines. Stay focused to avoid delays.
- Engage Professionals: Professional advisors can help ensure fair handling of insurance claims and financial matters; reach out to us if you need referrals.
Useful Links
- Federal disaster assistance – Visit www.disasterassistance.gov or call FEMA at 800-621-3362 (for TTY calls, dial 800-642-7585). You may be eligible for benefits and resources that are not covered by your insurance company.
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Guidance: cfpb.gov
- American Red Cross Recovery Services: redcross.org
- IRS Disaster Tax Relief: irs.gov
- National Association of Insurance Commissioners: naic.org
- National Association of Home Builders: nahb.org
- Wildfire Insurance One Sheet – https://smplmortgage.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Wildfire-Insurance-One-Sheet.pdf
- SBA Disaster Recovery: 800-659-2955 disastercustomerservice@sba.gov
- CA Dept of Insurance Tips for Wildfire Claimants: https://www.insurance.ca.gov/01-consumers/140-catastrophes/TopTenTips_WildfireClaimants.cfm
Important: Beware that scammers may try to take advantage of you in your time of need and pose as a non-profit or government official. Home repair scams and price gouging efforts also increase after natural disasters.
Temporary Housing
Please call our office at 626-583-1623 or email at smplteam@smplmortgage.com. We have clients and partners who have offered various housing options.
Local Short Term Housing (Thanks to Cynthia Cohn ): https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1peH3Vwx-DB57vN013t6ZWHC6RfUPnDS7D29vjeYNJUg/edit?usp=sharing
Helpful Articles
LA Fire Mutual Aid Resource – excellent aggregation of many resources. https://www.fireaid.info/
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1KMk34XY5dsvVJjAoD2mQUVHYU_Ib6COz6jcGH5uJWDY/htmlview?usp=sharing
Tips for those who want to help: https://smplmortgage.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Tips-for-those-trying-to-help.pdf
Ongoing Google Sheet Resource list: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1gOfZw4gORLicFXzCv8PGASWblwGE9MxAGboNNQj21hA/edit?usp=sharing
Financial Assistance
LA County Property Tax Misfortune & Calamity (M&C) Property Tax Relief Program . Under this program, properties damaged or destroyed by the fires may qualify for a reduction in assessed value, which could significantly ease the financial burden during the recovery process. The Assessor’s office is committed to assisting property owners through every step of this process. To file a claim or learn more, please visit the County Assessor’s disaster page at https://assessor.lacounty.gov/disaster, or contact their office at (213) 974-3211.
Did you lose a rental property? Learn about 1033 Exchanges here:
https://www.jrw.com/articles/tax-strategy/introduction-to-the-1033-exchange