With thousands of homes destroyed and their owners all displaced, California is working to speed up the insurance claim process.Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones declared an emergency situation, freeing up help from outside the state and cutting red tape. “Right now, people are in desperate need, and we want to make sure that they’re getting the assistance that they need,” Jones said.Here are 5 things insurance companies are being asked to do differently in response to the wildfires:1) Pay additional living expenses up frontInsurers should offer payments of at least four months for a total loss to cover the cost of living. Further living expenses payments should be available upon proof following the advance period.++ A wildfire burned your home; here’s what you do next2) Pay some personal property claims up frontInsurers should provide advance payment of at least 25 percent of policy limits for total losses. Additional payments should be available upon proper proof. 3) Speed up vehicle claims Insurance companies should expedite payment of automobile property damage claims. However, the commissioner is not specifying how much these claims should be expedited. 4) Delay billingAll insurers should give customers a break of at least 30 days when it comes to paying their insurance bills. In many cases, customers lost their bills or don’t have to ability to get their mail forwarded. ++ Here’s how you register for disaster assistance5) Allow outside adjustersInsurance adjusters who are not licensed in California but are licensed in other states are now allowed in to help expedite the claims process.While these are only suggestions, seven insurance companies have agreed to follow the guidelines. Those companies are Allstate Insurance Company, Wawanesa General Insurance, Golden Bear Insurance, CSE Insurance, State Farm Insurance, CSAA Insurance Group and Farmers Insurance Group.