Claims

SDG&E provides the following information to assist those who have questions about filing a claim.

San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) investigates and evaluates all claims on a case-by- case basis. Upon receipt of your claim by our Claims Department, a claims representative will contact you within two business days. When customer claims are forwarded to the Claims Department by company field employees, we will make every effort to contact the claimant within three business days.

Our investigation of your claim is not an admission of liability or an indication that SDG&E is responsible for your damages.

Overview

We understand you have suffered a loss or damage and you believe SDG&E may be responsible. To evaluate your claim, we must investigate and determine how the incident occurred, whether SDG&E bears any responsibility for your loss, and the extent of your damages arising from the incident. The information you need to file a claim is explained below.

Interruption of Service

SDG&E exercises reasonable diligence and care to furnish and deliver gas and electric service to our customers and avoid any service interruption. We are not be liable for damages for any failure to deliver gas or electric service to our customers due to circumstances beyond our reasonable control.

Losses not within our reasonable control would include interruptions of gas and/or electric service due to weather-related conditions (such as, but not limited to, wind, lightning, flooding, storm, heat and other forces of nature), damage by third parties and/or other intervening damage to our facilities.

The attached Tariff Rules set forth SDG&E obligations for gas service and electric service.

Download Gas Tariff Rule 14

Download Electric Tariff Rule 14

How to make a claim

You can make a claim as follows:

Call our Call Center at 1-800-711-SDGE (7343). Our Call Center representatives will document your claim information over the phone and provide you with a claim number. This information will be sent to the Claims Department who will contact you.

Alternatively, you can download a Claims Form, and mail or fax the form to --

Mailing address
San Diego Gas & Electric
Attention: Claims Department
101 Ash Street
SD 1166
San Diego, California 92101

Fax number 858-541-5737

How will your claim be processed?

SDG&E will investigate all claims in an objective and professional manner. Each claim will be evaluated based on its own merits and the outcome of our investigation. Our investigation may include, but is not limited to, evaluation of information you provide, interviewing employees and witnesses, visual inspection and appraisal of your alleged damage, site inspections, and when necessary, consultation with subject matter experts.

Our goal is to reach a final decision within 30 – 45 days. However, if the incident is complex in nature, the investigation and evaluation period may take longer. At the conclusion of our investigation, you will receive either a call from us or a letter informing you of our decision.

What supporting documentation is needed?

Below we have listed types of claims and the corresponding documents that are generally needed to evaluate your loss:

For property damage:

Repair estimates, invoices and proof of purchase.

For bodily injury:

Copy of medical records and receipts for services rendered. If you are asking for lost wages due to an injury, we will also need the following information: the numbers of days/weeks you were off work, verification of lost time from your employer, and pay stubs verifying your rate of compensation.

For business interruption:

Name and type of business, taxpayer I.D., revenue and expenses statements, sales receipts prior to and after the incident, payroll records, bank statements and/or tax records for the business.

For food loss/spoilage:

An itemized list of the food lost or spoiled with its cost. Please include receipts or other documentation verifying the purchase.

Please Note:  SDG&E evaluates food loss claims based upon the following recommended guidelines from the U. S. Department of Agriculture:

A fully stocked freezer will usually keep food frozen for two days after losing power.

A half-full freezer will usually keep contents frozen for about one day.

In the refrigerator, food will usually keep up to six hours, depending on the temperature of the room.

What are your claims options?

Alternatively, you can refer your loss to your insurance carrier who may reimburse you subject to policy coverage and any applicable deductible. Your insurance carrier may choose to contact SDG&E to resolve the matter.

What if your claim is denied?

SDG&E is committed to resolving your claim in a fair and objective manner. If your claim is denied, we will provide you with the reason for the denial. If you are not satisfied with our decision you have the option and right at any time during the claims process to file a civil action. This includes filing a Small Claims lawsuit.

What is the role of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)?

The California Public Utilities Commission sets general rules relating to business practices of the utility, however, it generally does not address the merits of bodily injury and property damage claims. For further information about the role of the CPUC, you can call 1-800-649-7570 or visit its Web site.