California wildfire claims top $9.4bn in October

California wildfires in October 2017 have triggered total insured losses that top $9.4 billion in residential and commercial claims two months after the event, according to the California Department of Insurance.

More than 100,000 residents fled as wind-whipped wildfires ripped through northern and parts of southern California in October.

"These numbers not only represent staggering losses to tens of thousands of Californians," said Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones. "The October wildfires that devastated whole communities and tragically cost 44 people their lives have now proven to be the most destructive and deadliest in our state's history."

The published information is the result of a formal data call in which more than 260 insurers reported their total claims as of Dec. 1 and includes the destruction and damage for more than 21,000 homes, 2,800 businesses, and more than 6,100 private autos, commercial vehicles, and 788 losses involving other lines of insurance such as agricultural equipment and watercraft.

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