The recent fires in Napa Valley and Sonoma, California present numerous issues for homeowners and business owners alike when it comes to navigating insurance claims. Questions arise as to what coverages are provided under a given insurance policy, how determinations on what is owed are made, what are the options on rebuilding, loss of income or extra expenses, coverage for damaged vines and wine, business interruption, and additional living expenses. This last topic was recently covered in a blog post by Denise Sze entitled, California Wildfires Bring the Need for Additional Living Expense Payments of Insurance Proceeds.

The issues facing wineries affected by the recent fires are complex. From coverage issues related to crop insurance, building damage, loss of business income, and loss of business personal property, Merlin Law Group and Levin Simes have teamed up and are offering a free Information Meeting on Monday, November 13, 2017 from 2:00-4:00p.m. at V. Sattui Winery in St. Helena, California, to answer questions wineries may have regarding their insurance claims.

We will be joined by Anita Oberholster, Ph.D, who will be discussing the impact of the recent fires and smoke damage on grapes and wine qualities, and insurance brokers Blake Longo and Mike Applegate to discuss specific insurance issues. Russell Kranzler, CPA, will also address issues related to business interruption.

If you are a winery or business impacted by the recent fires, we invite you to attend.