Wildfires are an increasingly common threat to California businesses. When flames or smoke force your company to shut down, the financial impact can be immediate and severe. Many business insurance policies include business interruption coverage, designed to protect you from income loss during events like wildfires.

But this protection comes with a time limit. How long do you have to file a business interruption claim after a wildfire? Here's what you need to know to avoid missing your chance at compensation.

Key Deadlines That Can Affect Your Claim

1. Policy Notice Requirements

Nearly all insurance policies include language requiring prompt notice of loss. This means you must notify your insurer as soon as reasonably possible after a covered event—like a wildfire—disrupts your business. Some policies set a specific timeframe, such as within 30 or 60 days of the loss. Failing to notify the insurer on time can give them grounds to deny your claim entirely.

2. Proof of Loss Timeline

After receiving your initial claim, insurers often request a proof of loss—a detailed statement documenting what was lost and how much compensation you’re seeking. This typically must be submitted within 60 to 90 days of the request, although exact terms vary by policy. This step is crucial, as an incomplete or late proof of loss may result in delays or denials.

3. California’s Statute of Limitations

In California, the default statute of limitations for breach of contract claims is four years, which generally includes disputes over insurance coverage. However, many business insurance policies shorten this to one or two years, and courts often enforce these contractual limits. The clock usually starts on the date of loss, not the date you discover the coverage problem or receive a denial. Waiting too long to take legal action can permanently bar you from recovering compensation.

Why Timeliness Is So Important

Delays in filing your wildfire claim can result in:

• Lost financial documentation that would support your case
• More difficult or contested damage assessments
• Greater leverage for the insurance company to reduce or deny your claim

Filing quickly also keeps pressure on the insurer to process your claim fairly and on time.

What If You’re Unsure About the Deadline?

If you don’t know when your deadline is—or whether it has passed—you’re not alone. Wildfire losses can be chaotic, and insurance policies are often filled with dense, confusing language.

To protect your rights, you should:

1. Review your full insurance policy, including endorsements.
2. Determine the exact date your business was affected by the wildfire.
3. Seek legal guidance to evaluate your options and deadlines.

Understanding the timing requirements now can save your business from serious financial harm later.

Take Action Before Time Runs Out

If your business was interrupted by a wildfire and you haven’t filed a claim—or your claim has been delayed or denied—you may still have options. But time matters. The sooner you take action, the more likely you are to recover the compensation your business needs to rebuild.



At Pacific Wildfire Attorneys, we help California business owners hold insurers accountable and pursue fair outcomes under business interruption coverage. Contact us for a no-cost case evaluation and find out where you stand.