The October windstorms and wildfires that caused an estimated $1.6 billion insured loss in California have produced more claims than 2003, the state's last record year for blazes, an industry group said.

Insurance Information Network of California said a survey of the insurance industry has confirmed at least 22,700 claims filed from the Southern California fires and windstorms.

This compares with 19,100 claims in 2003 when 3,600 homes were burned for a loss of $2.2 billion after inflationary adjustments.

IINC said this year's tally includes at least 2,000 insurance claims for damage stemming from the windstorms that fueled wildfires nearly a month ago.

The nonprofit trade group noted that while the wildfires did not burn as many homes as the firestorms of 2003, the reason they likely caused a greater number of insurance claims was because of the mass evacuation of San Diego County, which resulted in increased claims for additional living expenses.

Homeowner policies often pay for hotel costs prompted by a mandatory evacuation, IINC noted.

Working in partnership with the Insurance Information Institute to review claims data, IINC projects that insurers will pay at least $1.6 billion for wind and fire damage to homes, farms, vehicles and businesses.

IINC said that with 2,900 homes lost and $2.4 billion in insurance claims paid in 2005 dollars, the Oakland Hills fire remains at this point the most destructive single brushfire in California history.

More information on the fires is on the IINC Web site at www.iinc.org.

IINC had no immediate estimate concerning the fires that ravaged the Malibu area this week forcing 10,000 persons to flee the area.

Candysse Miller, IINC executive director said by e-mail that, "It's currently too early to estimate the total losses from the Corral (Malibu) fire, which was just brought under control today, though insured losses on the 53 homes lost and more than 30 damaged will clearly be in the millions of dollars."

This article updated 7:07 p.m. EST

Special Reports /

Calif. October Fires Set A Claims Record

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