Affected by the shutoffs? PG&E won’t reimburse — but there’s still a chance for compensation

Customers affected by Pacific Gas & Electric Corp.’s planned power shut-offs will not eligible for reimbursement through the company’s Safety Net program — which typically compensates customers for weather-related outages — but they still may be able to submit a claim.

PG&E will typically reimburse customers who are without power for more than 48 hours due to a severe event, including weather, through its “Safety Net Program.” However, the company has stated that the shut-offs occurring this week across the north state would not fall under this category.

“Storm Inconvenience Payments do not apply for (public safety power shut-off) events,” said PG&E spokesman Paul Moreno in an emailed statement. He also added that the utility company will not be paying out any claims for food spoilage during these events.

That is a marked change from 2018’s planned shutoffs; while those planned power outages affected less customers, the utility company did accept claims for food spoilage and other losses like property damage and personal injury.

“Each claim is evaluated on its own merits, but generally speaking claims from (shut-off) events for food spoilage and loss of revenue would not be paid,” Moreno said.

Nevertheless, PG&E customers who experienced hardship due to the loss of power can still try to submit a claim to the utility company by going online and using the form at www.pge.com/claiminfo.

Customers must be able to provide records and receipts, or detailed repair estimates and invoices. Scan and email any required additional supporting documents to claimdocs@pge.com and include the claim number in the subject line.

While claims can be submitted by email or regular mail as well, online claims are processed faster, according to the company’s website. A statute of limitations does apply, so all claims should be made as soon as possible.

On the bright side: PG&E will not be charging customers for power usage during the shut-offs — since there isn’t any access to power.