We aim to respond to all claims quickly and thoroughly. We review records, interview witnesses or employees and perform a technical evaluation when we investigate your claim. You can help the process move quickly by providing thorough and accurate information and documentation.

We evaluate each claim individually to determine:

• How the incident happened
• The extent of the damage
• If the damage was the result of Idaho Power negligence
• What the law considers fair compensation

We strive to reach a final decision within 30 business days from the receipt of your claim documents. However, it may take longer, if the issue is more complex. We will contact you once our review is complete.

If damages are caused by our negligence, we will take responsibility for the related losses and compensate you fairly.

Idaho Power will not provide compensation for events caused by forces outside of our reasonable control. Such events may include power outages, voltage fluctuations, food loss and property damage resulting from the following:

• Weather conditions such as wind, lightning, heat, snow, ice or flooding
• Bird, squirrel or other animal contacts with equipment
• Unanticipated equipment failure
• External causes, such as automobile accidents, falling trees, or construction activities

For more information, see Rule J of the Idaho/Oregon tariff Rules and Regulations.

Please understand it is your responsibility to provide adequate protection against voltage fluctuations (surge protection) for your motors and electronic equipment. In cases where there was no surge protection and a motor or electronic equipment is damaged, Idaho Power may not be responsible for compensating you.

For more information, please see Rule K of the Idaho/Oregon tariff Rules and Regulations. See also Protecting Your Home or Small Business Equipment and Protecting Your Equipment at Your Business or Agricultural/Irrigation Operation.

We are committed to evaluating all claims in a responsive and thorough manner to help resolve your claim as quickly as possible.

If we are responsible, we will pay a reasonable cost to repair the items we damaged. If you have replaced items, we will pay you the actual cash value of the original item, determined by today’s replacement cost minus depreciation.

As another option, you can file a claim with your insurance company to reimburse you for your loss, less your deductible. Your insurer may then choose to present the claim to us to recover compensation paid to you. Your insurer may be able to reimburse you for your losses and may, in some cases, pay replacement value (RCV) for damaged items, less your deductible.

If you have experienced damages, we recommend you do the following:

• Retain copies of all receipts for a full and accurate assessment of any loss or damage suffered. You are responsible for preserving the evidence and providing copies of appropriate supporting documentation, including repair estimates, repair invoices, original purchase receipts and invoices, sales receipts, replacement item receipts and invoices, appraisals, photos, tax records, bank statements, etc.
• Take reasonable steps to reduce your loss, and minimize your damages when possible (e.g., use ice to prevent food spoilage during extended outages).
• Ensure losses or expenses incurred because of an incident are not accumulating needlessly and are reasonable in relation to the loss.

Food spoilage claims are evaluated based on the following guidelines from the U.S. Department of Agriculture:

• A fully stocked freezer typically keeps food frozen for two days after losing power, if the door remains closed.
• A half-full freezer usually keeps food frozen approximately one day, if the door remains closed.
• Food will usually stay cold in a refrigerator up to four hours, if the door remains closed.

If a claim is submitted, please provide all supporting documentation, which may include:

• Detailed receipts, repair estimates and/or invoices
• Photographs
• Medical records and receipts for services rendered