By ALLEN MCQUISTON
Jemez Insurance Agency
Serving Los Alamos Since 1963

• • • • • What every New Mexico homeowner should know before the next alert

If you’ve lived in New Mexico for a while, especially in areas like Los Alamos, the foothills, or near forested canyons, you know that wildfire season is no joke.

And while we hope we’ll never have to evacuate, those emergency alerts can come fast. You grab your family, your pets, maybe a few important papers — and go.

But once you’ve left your home behind, the question starts creeping in:

“Am I covered if something happens while I’m gone? What if we never get to go back?”

• Let’s break it down — what your insurance really covers when you’re forced to evacuate, and what you’ll want to make sure you’ve got in place before it happens.

1. Yes, Your Home Is Still Covered While You’re Gone

• If you’re evacuated due to something like a wildfire or nearby hazard, your home insurance doesn’t suddenly disappear. Your policy still protects the structure of your home and your belongings inside — even if you’re not there.

• So if a fire damages your property while you’re evacuated, or looters break in while the neighborhood is empty, your coverage would typically step in.

• But here’s the key: that only applies if the cause of loss is covered by your policy. (More on that next.)

2. Not Every Cause of Evacuation Is Automatically Covered

• Your policy likely covers common threats like:

• Wildfire
• Smoke damage
• Vandalism or theft
• Wind or storm damage (depending on the details)

But certain things might not be included, depending on your specific coverage — like floods or earthquakes, which require separate policies in most cases.

• Talk to your agent about what natural disasters are (and aren’t) covered on your current policy. It’s better to find out now than when you’re sitting in a hotel watching the news.

3. “Loss of Use” Coverage Helps with Temporary Expenses

• If you’re forced to leave your home under a mandatory evacuation, most standard home insurance policies include Loss of Use (also called Additional Living Expenses, or ALE).

This coverage helps pay for:

• Hotel or temporary housing

• Meals

• Laundry

• Extra gas, boarding pets, and other out-of-pocket expenses

But — and this is important — you usually need to be under an official evacuation order for this coverage to apply. Voluntarily leaving early might not trigger the same benefits.

We recommend keeping receipts during an evacuation — you’ll need them if you file a claim for temporary expenses.

4. After the Danger Passes, Coverage Still Matters

• If the danger clears and you return to a home that’s still standing, it doesn’t always mean you’re in the clear. Smoke can damage furniture, appliances, and air quality. Ash can clog vents or damage landscaping. If your food spoiled during a power outage — even that can sometimes be covered.

What to do next:

• Take photos before and after, document anything that’s been damaged, and call your agent. Even smaller claims can add up.

Final Thoughts