Wildfire Insurance Claims Assistance

When the wildfires take everything, getting help shouldn’t be another battle. Understanding the heartbreak, frustration, and urgency, we’re here to make the claims process as stress-free as possible.

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Inspiration

After watching the recent LA wildfires devastate communities, I kept thinking about the people who lost everything overnight. Not just their homes, but also their peace of mind, their stability, and their records—things they’d need to start over.

Filing an insurance claim should be the easy part, but it’s often confusing paperwork, lost records, and delays when people need help the most. As this is my first time coding for a hackathon, I wanted my first project to be meaningful which led me to build a web app that makes the claims process simple, trackable, and stress-free, so survivors can focus on rebuilding.

What it does

This platform is all about making insurance claims less of a headache and more of a lifeline.

  • File Your Claim - A straightforward form that ensures everything is documented properly from day one.
  • Track Your Claim - No more wondering, “Did I submit this? When did I file it?”—this system keeps a record of every claim you submit.
  • Access Emergency Help - Direct links to FEMA, Red Cross, fire relief grants, and legal aid so you’re not waiting on insurance.
  • Talk to Someone - Because insurance is just one piece of recovery. Emotional support matters too.

How we built it

I kept it simple and effective: Frontend: Hardcoded in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for a clean, no-frills experience. Backend: Node.js with Express to handle claim submissions and storage. Database: SQLite for quick and reliable claim tracking. File Uploads: Multer to store supporting documents (like photos, receipts, and reports) securely.

Challenges we ran into

  • File storage issues - spent way too long realizing I hadn’t created an uploads/ folder. Fixed it by auto-generating the directory.
  • Ensuring claims aren’t lost - added claim tracking so users always have a record of when they submitted.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

Built a fully functional claims tracking system in a weekend. Created something that could genuinely help wildfire survivors. Kept it simple, practical, and user-focused.

What we learned

I had never used SQLite before so learning how to set up a database, handle queries, and store claim records was a fun challenge and a valuable new skill.

What's next for Wildfire Insurance Claims Assistance

Expanding beyond wildfires like other disasters where claims are a struggle. Adding SMS/email notifications so users get reminders and updates. Providing real-time legal & financial guidance based on claim details using AI. Launching it as a free public resource.

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