LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — Entire communities across the Los Angeles area have been leveled with thousands of homes destroyed as a result of the ongoing wildfires.

The devastation has now raised concerns amongst many fearing the uncertainty of whether their current home insurance policies will cover the costs in the event of a similar tragedy.

Janet Ruiz, Strategic Communications Director for the Insurance Information Institute recommends homeowners stay up to date on their policies and thoroughly understand what that coverage entails.

“It’s really important to look at the numbers on your insurance policies, those are your coverage limits. So, insurance policy is going to pay up to that amount in losses and not over that amount so look at those numbers and take time to do it,” Ruiz said.

Ruiz says while fire is a basic peril covered under homeowner insurance policies, what many homeowners may be faced with is a lack of coverage due to non-renewals.

“What you find is if an insurance company has too many risks in any one given area they may need to non-renew some of the policies,” Ruiz said.

However, before policies are canceled, Ruiz says by law, states like California and Nevada require insurance companies to give out anywhere from a 45-75 days notice of non-renewals for home insurance policies; recommending homeowners keep an eye out for when those claims expire.

“Read that mail right away and take action right away when you get mail from your insurance company that protects you and insurance companies want to give you the time to make sure you can get another insurance policy,” said Ruiz.

If those policies are canceled, the Strategic Communications Director for the Insurance Information Institute says it’s important to immediately shop around, but for homeowners to also keep in mind what other risks they could face; that is demanding on their geographic region.

“We always let people know that earthquakes and floods would require a different policy or an endorsement. so, you need to consider whether you have those risks in your area as well. Then make sure and talk with your agent. They are more than willing to talk with you. they want to help you get the right coverage that is going to really benefit you if there is a loss,” Ruiz added.

As concerns grow about whether home insurance rates could go up, Ruiz says at this time it isn’t likely.

“The policies don’t increase right away because each company has to work with the Department of Insurance to file any requests to change rates in an area and it’s usually not one loss or one type of catastrophe. It is something that insurance looks at over a longer period of time and there are a lot of other things that come into play.

Should homeowners find themselves without insurance when disaster strikes, Ruiz says the recourse would be to seek out help from organizations like FEMA..