# Who Pays for Food Spoiled in a Storm Outage? | Who Pays the Repair?

> SCE and PG&E say weather-related outages are generally outside their responsibility; homeowners policies usually cover up to $500 of spoiled food.

**Who pays:** depends

California utilities say storm-caused outages are generally outside their responsibility; a homeowners policy may cover up to $500 of spoiled food.

**Boundary:** Southern California Edison says it is generally responsible for losses due to its negligence and is not responsible for food loss or property damage from forces outside its control, including weather-related conditions such as wind and rain. PG&E says that in most instances it is not responsible for power outages or property damage caused by weather-related conditions such as floods, extreme storms and winds. Homeowners policies usually cover up to $500 of food spoiled by an outage caused by a covered peril.

**Exceptions:** PG&E says food spoilage and similar claims are paid only if submitted and resolved within one year from the date of the incident.

## Sources
- [File a Claim](https://www.sce.com/customer-service-center/help-center/request-support/claims) — "Generally, we are responsible for losses that occur due to our negligence. However, in many instances, we are NOT responsible for power outages, voltage fluctuations, food loss, or property damage that occur due to forces outside our control, such as earthquakes and weather-related conditions including wind, rain, fog, lightning, or extreme heat." (accessed 2026-10-01)
- [File a Claim](https://www.sce.com/customer-service-center/help-center/request-support/claims) — "For claims regarding food loss: itemized list detailing spoiled food, with receipts or documentation of cost." (accessed 2026-10-01)
- [Claims policy and process](https://www.pge.com/en/account/customer-service/claims.html) — "For example, in most instances, we are not responsible in the following situations: Power outages, voltage fluctuations or property damage caused by earthquakes, weather-related conditions, such as lightning, floods, extreme storms, heat or winds or other acts of nature." (accessed 2026-10-01)
- [Claims policy and process](https://www.pge.com/en/account/customer-service/claims.html) — "Food spoilage and other similar claims should be made promptly. Such claims are paid only if they are submitted and resolved within one year from the date of the incident." (accessed 2026-10-01)
- [Is food spoilage covered?](https://www.iii.org/article/is-food-spoilage-covered) — "Insurance companies will usually cover up to $500 of food that spoils from a power outage caused by a covered peril under standard homeowners insurance policies." (accessed 2026-10-01)

_Last verified 2026-10-01. Source: Who Pays the Repair? — https://whopaystherepair.com/rules/california-storm-power-outage-food-spoilage-claim/ — every claim checked against a primary source before publication (see /methodology/)._