The stakes they gettin’ higher – Captive consumers are vulnerable consumers
The stakes they gettin’ higher – Captive consumers are vulnerable consumers

Insurance has always been a big deal to loss victims, disaster survivors, and needless to say, United Policyholders.  To the rest of the world…not so much. As to paying for insurance policies that are optional, consumers can just say no, not buying. End of story.…
It’s no surprise that an acronym soup designed by committee doesn’t taste good
It’s no surprise that an acronym soup designed by committee doesn’t taste good

Some of you may remember the kid’s song: “I knew an old lady who swallowed a fly…” The Sandy scandal that the National Flood Insurance Program is digging out of reminds me of that song.  An engineer hired by an IA.  A WYO hired the…
Did you not appreciate how an insurer depreciated your stuff? You’re not alone…
Did you not appreciate how an insurer depreciated your stuff? You’re not alone…

If you file an insurance claim for property that’s been destroyed, your insurer will value it in one of two ways:  Replacement Cost Value (RCV) or Actual Cash Value (ACV).  ACV is also known as “depreciated value” because it is based on the age and…
How the other half lives
How the other half lives

The people United Policyholders serves, is in close touch with and advocates for are the ones that fuel the insurance system by buying the products.  Their/our perspectives are what we know. Checking in on the other half of the system – the people who run…
Insurers Superbowl 49 ad BLITZ rankles
Insurers Superbowl 49 ad BLITZ rankles

In case you missed Lindsay Lohan careening onto the curb just inches away from two dazed school boys to promote Allstate’s Esurance brand, or Nationwide’s more serious but controversial point about avoidable accidents – once again, insurance ads were front and center during yesterday’s Superbowl.…
UPwardly Mobile Insurability
UPwardly Mobile Insurability

“Be it ever so humble, there’s no place like a mobile home. But if you want to protect it, you need to have the right insurance.” Dana Dratch • Bankrate.com.  We saw just how true this is at an emergency shelter for San Mateo, California residents who’d been…
“Sharing Economy” UPdate
“Sharing Economy” UPdate

As they work to establish oversight of new transportation network companies, and set fair rules for licensure, insurance and competition with the taxi industry, regulators are classifying Uber, Lyft and other ride-sharing businesses as the “Sharing Economy.” United Policyholders has been engaged in these oversight…
“Use it and lose it” is a very serious threat to the integrity of our insurance system
“Use it and lose it” is a very serious threat to the integrity of our insurance system

This recent “Share Your Story” email to UP from a Wyoming consumer captures how the “use it and lose it” phenomenon is one of the most serious threats to the integrity of the insurance system today. “We had a fire two years ago. It started…
Helping New Jersey residents get fair insurance settlements for Sandy damage
Helping New Jersey residents get fair insurance settlements for Sandy damage

Our ongoing work helping New Jersey homeowners get fair insurance settlements for Sandy damage includes: Distributing sample letters and tips for appealing a claim denial and getting a supplemental claim approved for payment and guiding homeowners and the local aid workers engaged in the long term recovery…
Bach Talk – The “Purely Cosmetic Damage” exclusion’s gonna be ugly
Bach Talk – The “Purely Cosmetic Damage” exclusion’s gonna be ugly

Thanks to a consumer participation program offered by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, I get up close and personal with the nation’s top insurance regulators three times a year.  I’m in my seventh year as an official representative of consumers at the NAIC, and…
Bach Talk – Appropriately regulating Uber and Lyft
Bach Talk – Appropriately regulating Uber and Lyft

Residents of cities throughout the US now have the option to “Uber” or “Lyft” their way to a destination instead of taking a traditional taxicab.  These innovative, tech-sector start-up businesses are labeled “Transportation Network Companies”, (“TNCs”).  Initially, TNCs avoided having to comply with many of…
Bach Talk – Biased expert reports plague policyholders
Bach Talk – Biased expert reports plague policyholders

United States Magistrate Judge Gary R. Brown issued a very important decision in a Superstorm Sandy case in November, 2014 that addresses a chronic problem for the policyholders UP serves:  A practice by some insurers of rejecting damage claims based on engineering reports that have…
Bach Talk – The Powerful Voice of Experience
Bach Talk – The Powerful Voice of Experience

A backbone of our Roadmap to Recovery program are the volunteers and staff members who got involved with UP to make constructive use of the knowledge they themselves gained while navigating the recovery process after a catastrophic loss.  Our Survivor’s Speak publication series, workshop speakers…
Bach Talk – Helping policyholders adapt to climate change
Bach Talk – Helping policyholders adapt to climate change

“Public dollars also need to go to the equally important, though less glamorous projects and services that will help us prepare for the coming heavy weather.  That includes things like hiring more firefighters and improving storm barriers.  And it means coming up with new, nonprofit…
Bringing logic and fairness back to California injury victims
Bringing logic and fairness back to California injury victims

Bach Talk:  Let’s not forget that it used to be true in California that if you were injured by someone, you could make a claim directly with that someone’s insurance company.  If their insurance company behaved badly, you could hold them accountable in court.  You…
Bach Talk – Regulators should review policies and get more resources
Bach Talk – Regulators should review policies and get more resources

A recent California legal case shines light on a fact that will surprise many, but not me:  California’s Insurance Commissioner, considered by many to be the most diligent consumer advocate among the 50 state’s regulators – does not as a matter of course, review, approve…
Bach Talk – Healthy insurance decision-making
Bach Talk – Healthy insurance decision-making

Shopping for health insurance? Open enrollment for 2015 plans across the nation starts November 15th, 2014 and ends in February, 2015.  The penalty for not protecting yourself and family by buying health insurance kicks in in 2015. Common questions: https://www.healthcare.gov/apply-and-enroll/ Picking by quality: Consumer satisfaction with health…
Flood insurance program extends Proof of Loss deadline for Sandy claims
Flood insurance program extends Proof of Loss deadline for Sandy claims

On October 1st, 2013, the National Flood Insurance Program extended the deadline for filing Superstorm Sandy proofs of loss for another 6 months past the current October 28th, 2013 deadline. United Policyholders commends the program for giving this much needed breathing room to property owners.…