From: Lila Hayes
Sent: Thursday, January 13, 2005 11:19 AM
To:
Subject: weekly update

I am creating a "survivor tip" page on our web site and would like help from YOU. What tips would you give survivors of future disasters?

If you've finished rebuilding are there any tips you would give people who are just getting into the rebuilding phase?

This is a bit different than what questions you would've liked answered just after the fire, but if you have questions to submit, please feel free to do that as well. I am creating several Q&A pages as well. We had a very fruitful meeting last week and got tons of ideas, but please feel free to suggest more! There will always be something we forgot.

FOR RELEASE:
MEDIA CONTACT:
January 6, 2005 (#002)
Gary Gartner

INSURANCE COMMISSIONER JOHN GARAMENDI, DISTRICT ATTORNEY BONNIE DUMANIS
ANNOUNCE RESTITUTION SETTLEMENT FOR EAST COUNTY FIRE SURVIVORS

Insurance adjuster agrees to pay nearly $129,000 in fines and
restitution after investigation into unlicensed adjuster who allegedly
misled fire survivors

CREST - Standing with survivors of the devastating 2003
Southern California wildfires, Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi and
San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis on Thursday announced
a $128,707.92 settlement with a Los Angeles public adjuster stemming
from its handling of fire survivor claims.

Speaking in front of a home under construction for a Crest
family, the Commissioner noted that although it has been more than a
year since the October 2003 fires, many families are still waiting to
settle claims and rebuild their homes. The unlawful activity of public
adjusters, he said, exacerbates the problem.

"The survivors of the firestorms have looked to public
adjusters for help and guidance in the wake of the disaster," said
Commissioner Garamendi. "Instead, these families were allegedly duped
into signing bad contracts that cost them tens of thousands of dollars,
money they needed to rebuild their lives. This is wrong, and I will
continue my efforts to fight this scam so others won't be victimized."

Investigators into the current case alleged that Kapilow & Son
of Los Angeles unlawfully hired unlicensed public adjusters, who then
misled four families in East San Diego County into signing the
contracts. All four families have received restitution in the case.

"When the fires raged through the back country, our office
promised that victims would not be re-victimized. Today we are here to
fulfill that promise," said San Diego District Attorney Bonnie M.
Dumanis.

The investigation began after an anonymous tip late last year
to the Ramona Fire Resource Center. Complaints of unlicensed public
adjusters soliciting business in the Julian, Ramona and Crest
communities had begun to surface. Investigators contacted the four
families and found that the unlicensed adjusters had told them that the
cost of adjusting services would only be 10% of any new money the
insured received. However, the actual contract called for the adjuster
to receive 10% of all money received from claims settlements.

After the investigation, Kapilow & Sons agreed to a final
judgment of a civil complaint filed by the San Diego District Attorney's
office. Without admitting wrongdoing, the company paid $72,757.92 in
restitution to the victims and $55,950 in investigation costs and
penalties. It also agreed to lifetime injunctions against further
violations.

If you are a wildfire survivor and believe you have been a
victim of a public adjuster or any type of fraud, call the Department of
Insurance hotline at 1-800-927-HELP.