The Wirecutter Show – “The True Cost of Recovering from the LA Wildfires, Part 2”

Date: January 9, 2026
Hosts: Christine Cyr Clisset, Rosie Guerin
Guests: Gregory Hahn, Mike Cohen

Overview

In the second episode of their three-part series examining the aftermath of the 2025 LA wildfires, The Wirecutter Show dives into the long-term, often overlooked challenges of recovery. Hosts Christine Cyr Clisset and Rosie Guerin speak with colleagues Gregory Hahn and Mike Cohen, who share candid lessons learned as survivors: Gregory's home was severely damaged, while Mike lost his entirely. This episode zeroes in on the realities of disaster insurance—what to know, what to document, and why most people are less covered than they think—offering listeners essential, actionable advice for preparing for the unthinkable.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Lingering Effects of Disaster (06:23–08:04)

• Displacement and Identity: Both Gregory and Mike express the surreal disconnection from their own lives following the fire.

  • Mike, forced to rely on donated clothes:

    “When I look at myself in the mirror, I literally don’t recognize myself. It feels like everything is temporary for us.” (06:57, Mike Cohen)

  • The uncertainty is compounded by not knowing if or when they can return home.

• Family Milestones Upended:

  • Mike and his partner learn they’re expecting their first child just after losing their home:

    “Yeah. So the fires were pretty much the first week of January. A week later, we found out we were pregnant... It was a roller coaster.” (07:46, Mike Cohen)

  • Mike's daughter is born in October, marking stark contrasts between the family's old life and new reality.

2. The Reality of Disaster Aid (08:20–09:28)

• FEMA Aid is Limited:

  • Survivors received a standard sum—$770—which barely covered essentials.

    “Everybody gets the 770, yeah... That was to cover maybe some groceries, some basic necessities.” (08:49, Mike Cohen & Gregory Hahn)

  • Multiple appeals and rejections are common; most further expenses are not covered.

• Insurance: Massive and Unequal Relief

  • Gregory describes the sense of “luck of the draw” when approaching his insurer’s disaster tent for immediate help:

    “Some of our neighbors... did not get approved for two weeks. And it’s really that luck of the draw of insurance that is really maddening.” (09:28, Gregory Hahn)

3. The Critical Importance of Inventory and Documentation (10:17–15:43)

• Why You Need a Detailed List

  • Insurance claims depend on itemizing all property, a harrowing process after trauma.

    “Most people can’t tell you everything that's in their backpack right now... Imagine having to do that with every single drawer in your entire home.” (11:05, Mike Cohen)

  • Proof is necessary; without documentation, adjusters default to minimums.

• How to Make the Most Effective Inventory

  • Receipts help, but detailed photos/videos are best—Gregory and Mike stress the value of “video walkthroughs.”

    “If we had photographic documentation... it would have been so much easier.” (12:46, Mike Cohen)

    • Mike sent so many dog videos (“There’s Oona running away from the Dyson vacuum V8 absolute model...”) that his adjuster commented on it.

• When and How Often to Document

  • Key events: When moving, after life milestones, and “once every couple years.”

    “And lastly, like, do it today. Do it today. It’ll take eight minutes.” (15:05, Mike Cohen)

• Include Vital Documents and Heirlooms

  • Photos or scans of crucial records are essential for recovery logistics:

    “When you go to the bank to say, hey, I need some cash…if you don’t have proof that you bank with them, it becomes very, very difficult.” (15:58, Gregory Hahn)

4. Home Hardening: Investing in Prevention (21:07–24:29)

• Taking Physical Action

  • Gregory invested thousands into “home hardening”—trimming vegetation, replacing vents with “3-layer intumescent venting” to block ash and embers, and regular yard maintenance.

    “This vent that goes all across. This is what we paid for... It’s the three-layer intumescent venting.” (23:02, Gregory Hahn)

• Lack of Insurance Incentives

  • Despite his investment, Gregory’s insurance premiums dropped only $7.

    “I don’t know why the insurance aren’t incentivizing fire hardening efforts, because they save money in the long term.” (24:02, Gregory Hahn)

• Psychological Barriers to Preparation

  • Many in wildfire-prone LA still don’t take preventative steps, not for financial reasons, but avoidance:

    “…they just don’t want to think about it. And thinking about it is the first step.” (25:03, Gregory Hahn)

5. Understanding and Advocating for Insurance Coverage (25:46–36:37)

• The Complexity of Home Insurance Policies

  • Market instability: Insurers pulling out of California; many homeowners are left scrambling for coverage before/after disasters.
  • Mike reflects on risky assumptions:

    “I thought about disasters like most people think about them…It’s never going to happen to me.” (26:43, Mike Cohen)

  • Policies are dense and confusing, but understanding policy coverage is critical.

    “One of the first things…was to take our entire insurance policy, drop it into an AI chatbot and ask it questions.” (28:13, Mike Cohen)

• Three Key Forms of Coverage:

  • Personal property (possessions)

  • Additional Living Expenses (ALE)

  • Structure itself—the cost to rebuild/repair

  • Clarity empowers more effective claims:

    “That empowers you to meet with your insurer and demand exactly what you’re owed, what you paid for.” (29:04, Gregory Hahn)

• Remediation Experience

  • Gregory details the costly, protracted process of proving contamination and having his home professionally remediated—paying out of pocket for testing before eventual reimbursement.

    “We paid over $8,000 out of pocket... And then we use that in turn to inform the remediation team and our insurer to push back on them.” (32:23, Gregory Hahn)

6. The Uncomfortable Truth: Most People Are Under-Insured (35:51–36:37)

• Mike’s Stark Conclusion:

  “No. And I don’t know anybody who’s been fully covered to the extent of their losses.” (35:51, Mike Cohen)

  • His letter to his past self:

    “Get more.” (36:33, Mike Cohen)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the psychological struggle after disaster:

  “When I look at myself in the mirror, I literally don’t recognize myself.” (06:57, Mike Cohen)

• On aid and the randomness of relief:

  “It’s really that luck of the draw of insurance that is really maddening.” (09:28, Gregory Hahn)

• On the impossible ask of insurance claims:

  “Most people can’t tell you everything that’s in their backpack right now…Imagine having to do that with every single drawer in your entire home.” (11:05, Mike Cohen)

• On the critical importance of preparation:

  “Do it today. It’ll take eight minutes.” (15:05, Mike Cohen)

• On the reality of climate risk:

  “Climate change is going to reach all of us in some way. Observation… when it’s not so bad can prepare you for when it gets really bad.” (25:03, Gregory Hahn)

• On the confusion of insurance policies:

  “I think it’s too much to ask for everybody to read through their insurance policy, but it'd be really great for them to at least understand what it is and what they’re agreeing to.” (28:13, Mike Cohen)

• On underinsurance:

  “No. And I don’t know anybody who’s been fully covered to the extent of their losses.” (35:51, Mike Cohen)

Suggested Actions for Listeners

• Document your possessions: Film a full home walk-through, open drawers/cabinets, capture brand/model details.
• Digitize critical documents: Store ID, insurance, heirlooms, and legal papers securely online.
• Understand your insurance: Read the policy or use expert/AI help to know your actual coverage.
• Invest in prevention: Consider home hardening for fire/flood/quake, even if insurance incentives are minimal.
• Evaluate your coverage amounts: Don’t assume the bare minimum will be sufficient.

Recommended Listening Order & Episode Continuity

This is part two of a three-part series. New listeners are encouraged to check Part 1: The True Cost of Recovering from the LA Wildfires before diving into this in-depth examination of the insurance and recovery process. The promised third episode will further explore systemic issues of underinsurance in America.