San Francisco Tenant Protection for Evictions

[Sharif Shibli]

I have a question....I own a duplex in San Francisco and a tenant caused a fire while cooking soup in one of the units. The fire department came and put it out. The fire was not that serious and thank god no one was hurt, however the unit is unlivable so we need to get a contractor and renovate the place. 

Now, my insurance is covering the costs to fix up the unit but apparently there is some law in San Francisco for temporary evictions due to construction that I have to pay my tenant $400 a day while I am fixing up the place! And a maximum of $20,000 total!!! The insurance is ruling the fire an accident, which it was, but the accident was caused by her! She did not have renter's insurance, something I will probably require for all my tenants from now on.

My question is... Am I really liable for paying for her living expenses when I am being forced to renovate due to a fire caused by her?