RAMONA -- State insurance officials explained insurance rights and detailed aid programs to about 200 fire victims Friday night at a meeting in Ramona.

After opening remarks, attendees lined up on both sides of the meeting at Meadowlark Church to ask California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner questions about their insurance claims. The advice throughout the evening was consistent: When in doubt, file a complaint with the commissioner's office.

"I'm here to help you cut through the red tape," Poizner said.

As of Nov. 16, more than 33,000 claims had been filed, 1,500 of which are total losses, Poizner said. Those figures leave insurers owing nearly $2 billion in payouts. To date, insurance companies have paid fire victims about $330 million.

Representatives from consumer advocacy groups, government offices and 11 insurance companies were also on hand to field questions and complaints after the meeting. Poizner promised no one would leave without having their concerns addressed.

"We'll be here for as long as it takes," he said.

Insured fire victims were encouraged to follow the procedures set forth by insurance companies, but to contact Poizner's office if problems persist. So far, Poizner said, the state insurance consumer services division has received 45 complaints from fire survivors, 30 of which are from San Diego County.

No details about the complaints were available.

"I'm fairly pleased (with the insurance companies) so far," he said. But, he added that anyone who wasn't should "go pigeonhole" insurance representatives at the meeting to get answers.

Charles Ball, a race car builder who lives on Lake Sutherland Dam Road just outside of Ramona, said he lost his home and "everything" in the Witch Creek fire. He said he's been pretty happy with the service he's received from his insurance company, but that his biggest complaint was about the arduous process involved in getting compensated for personal property losses.

"I just want them to write me the damn check," he said. "Their repayment policy just irritates the hell out of me."

Ball's frustrations were expressed by several people, but the process is commonplace in the industry, officials said.

Personal items lost in a fire are usually covered at a depreciated value. After policyholders replace an item, the company will reimburse them for the full amount. But Ball and others said they didn't have the money available to replace their belongings out of pocket, and most companies only allow one year for lost items to be replaced.

Poizner issued an emergency declaration in the county on Oct. 24. Anyone seeking help with insurance claims should call (800)927-4357 or go to www.insurance.ca.gov.

Contact staff writer Darryn Bennett at (760) 740-5420 or dmbennett@nctimes.com.