A Los Angeles Times Special Report : Coping With The Quake : Recovering From Disaster, Preparing for the Future : Getting Insurance Help

Many insurers and insurance industry groups have set up special telephone numbers for policyholders affected by Monday’s quake. Insurance companies advise their customers to first try contacting their insurance agent before calling these special lines:

Special claim phone numbers

Company: Aetna Phone: (800) 238-6225 Company: Allstate Phone: (800) 755-4126 Company: Automobile Club of Southern California Phone: (800) 672-5246

Company: Cigna Property & Casualty Phone: (800) 421-2471

Company: Crusader Insurance Co. Phone: (800) 669-9800

Company: Farmers Group of Insurance Companies Phone: (818) 683-5770

Company: Firemen’s Fund Insurance Cos. Phone: (800) 548-HELP

Company: Home Insurance Group Phone: (800) 366-6653

Company: ITT Hartford Insurance Group Phone: (800) 243-5860

Company: State Farm Insurance Phone: (800) SF-CLAIM

Company: Safeco Insurance Co. of America Phone: (800) 452-7117

Company: 20th Century Insurance Phone: (800) 443-3100

Company: USAA Phone: (800) 531-8222

Company: Western Insurance Information Service Phone: (800) 397-1679

Mobile claim centers

* Allstate--one of the state’s biggest property and casualty insurers--is opening mobile catastrophe centers to serve quake victims. The centers are at 21040 Califa St. in Woodland Hills and 16800 Devonshire St. in Granada Hills. A third location will be opened in Sylmar, most likely on Central Street.

Applying for FEMA Aid

People who lost homes and property in the earthquake can apply for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for temporary housing and financial help. Call (800) 462-9029 to register with FEMA. An inspector will visit applicants within a week to 10 days. People must be prepared to spend 30 minutes on the telephone and give the following information:

* Date of earthquake.

* Social Security number.

* Family’s gross income before the earthquake.

* A telephone number where applicants can be reached or where a message can be left.

* Any insurance coverage, insurance company name and agent’s name and telephone number.

* Directions to their home from the nearest intersection so that field inspectors can visit.

REBUILDING Your Home

The Contractors State License Board and the Better Business Bureau maintain regional offices in several areas of the Southland. This list will help you contact the offices nearest you.

Contractors State License Board

* Main information number: (800) 321-CSLB

* San Fernando Valley district office: (818) 901-5168

* Los Angeles/Orange County district office: (714) 994-7430

* Inland Empire district office: (909) 485-6011

Better Business Bureau

* Los Angeles/Orange County: (714) 527-0680

* Inland Empire: (909) 825-7280

Paying Your Bills

Many California banks offer disaster relief programs for customers who are victims of earthquakes. After past disasters, one major bank extended a three-month payment deferral on car loans, credit cards and lines of credit and waived penalties for early redemption of certificates of deposit.

After a series of earthquakes struck Humboldt County in April, 1992, another major lender let credit card customers apply for a one-month grace period and credit line increases. Consumer and home loan customers affected by the quakes were eligible for a 90-day payment moratorium. Time deposits and IRAs could be withdrawn without penalty.

Individuals who need some leeway in their credit or bill payments should contact their creditors and explain their situation.

Where to Find SHELTERS

The American Red Cross and Salvation Army are providing emergency shelters for Los Angeles area earthquake victims. The shelters can provide food, blankets, some medical care and cots for an overnight stay for those whose homes were damaged.

* Red Cross Hot Line (to obtain or offer assistance): (213) 739-4543

Red Cross emergency centers

* Sylmar High School, 13050 Borden Ave.

* San Fernando Recreation Center, 208 Park Ave.

* The Glendale Armory, 100 Colorado Blvd.

* The Church of Christ, 14655 Sherman Way, Van Nuys

* Reseda High School, 18230 Kittridge St., Reseda

* Canyon High School, 19300 W. Nadal St., Santa Clarita

* Hollywood High School, 1521 N. Highland Ave., Los Angeles

* Birmingham High School, 17000 Haynes St., Van Nuys

* Royal High School, 1402 Royal Ave., Simi Valley

* San Cayetano Elementary School, 514 Mountain View Ave., Fillmore

* Veterans Memorial Building, 511 2nd St., Fillmore

* Salvation Army 24-hour hot line for referrals to shelter and food for quake victims: (800) 725-9005

Salvation Army emergency shelter locations:

* San Fernando Valley Corps, 14917 Victory Blvd., Van Nuys

* The Glendale Corps, 320 W. Windsor Road

Financial donations:

Make check payable to: Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund

Mail to: L.A. Chapter, American Red Cross, 2700 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, Calif. 90057