Loaded for Bare: Policyholders Beware…
Loaded for Bare: Policyholders Beware…

By Amy Bach, as originally posted on Fortune.com Once again, a storm has devastated a region and broken records. Hurricane Harvey dropped so much rain on Texas, the National Weather Service had to add new colors to its map graphics. Where will the money come…
Clarifying the effect of Texas House Bill 1774 on Harvey insurance claims
Clarifying the effect of Texas House Bill 1774 on Harvey insurance claims

There has been some confusion about the effect of a new Texas law that limits the future legal rights of people and businesses that will be filing insurance claims for damage from Hurricane Harvey. The new law comes into play in situations where an insurance…
Claims Teams Begin Handling Onslaught of Harvey Claims
Claims Teams Begin Handling Onslaught of Harvey Claims

Hurricane Harvey has set a U.S record, according to the National Weather Service, dumping 51.88 inches of rain in parts of Texas. As the tropical storm moves over southern Louisiana, claims catastrophe teams are moving in to devastated cities in Texas. AIR Worldwide reported severe…
Consider buying flood insurance
Consider buying flood insurance

Unless a bank requires you to buy it, you probably aren’t paying for flood insurance on your home. Maybe it’s because you don’t live near water. Maybe it’s because your community mapping is outdated. Maybe it’s because an insurance agent said you don’t need it. Maybe…
Basic Storm Stats – Texas Hurricane Harvey
Basic Storm Stats – Texas Hurricane Harvey

Dates of the hurricane: Incident Period: August 23-September 15, 2017 Major Disaster Declaration: August 25, 2017   Wind speed: 130mph (Category 4) at landfall in Rockport, Texas   Peak rainfall:[1] 40-61 inches 51.88 inches fell in Cedar Bayou in less than five days   Affected…
Harvey’s Catastrophic Costs Mount; Many Lack Adequate Insurance
Harvey’s Catastrophic Costs Mount; Many Lack Adequate Insurance

Hurricane Harvey’s second act across southern Texas is turning into an economic catastrophe — with damages likely to stretch into tens of billions of dollars and an unusually large share of victims lacking adequate insurance, according to early estimates. Harvey’s cost could mount to $24…
Wells Fargo Borrower Got Unneeded Insurance, and Ruined Credit
Wells Fargo Borrower Got Unneeded Insurance, and Ruined Credit

Wells Fargo has promised to make amends to the customers it forced to buy car insurance that they didn’t need. Allan Dunlap, a former Wells Fargo borrower who spent months trying to get the bank to correct an insurance error that marred his credit report,…
NJ Flood Damage Victim Can’t Hold Its Insurance Company Liable For Failing To Disclose The Risk Of Flooding And Neglecting To Recommend Flood Insurance
NJ Flood Damage Victim Can’t Hold Its Insurance Company Liable For Failing To Disclose The Risk Of Flooding And Neglecting To Recommend Flood Insurance

The New Jersey Appellate Division on Monday ruled that an insurance broker sued by a tool manufacturer whose flood policy didn’t cover all of the Superstorm Sandy damage it incurred hadn’t been required to sell the client a policy with higher limits. The three-judge panel’s…
Insurer Off Hook For Flood Claim Despite Knowing Co.’s Risk
Insurer Off Hook For Flood Claim Despite Knowing Co.’s Risk

An electricity meter vendor that suffered flood damage at a New Jersey warehouse caused by Hurricane Irene can’t hold its insurance company or the broker liable for failing to disclose the risk of flooding and neglecting to recommend flood insurance, a New Jersey appellate court…
FEMA extends deadline for Superstorm Sandy flood insurance claims review
FEMA extends deadline for Superstorm Sandy flood insurance claims review

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has extended the deadline for policyholders to respond to its offers under the Superstorm Sandy flood insurance claims review process. Lack of responses Last month, FEMA sent out a letter notifying policyholders, many of whom had been offered money…
Delaware Governor Carney Signs Insurance Consumer Fairness Bill
Delaware Governor Carney Signs Insurance Consumer Fairness Bill

On Tuesday, August 1, 2017, Delaware Governor John Carney signed into law House Substitute 1 for House Bill 80 (HS 1 for HB 80), a consumer fairness bill that targets unfair discriminatory practices by automobile and homeowners insurance companies to determine premium costs. “Insurance rates…
Wells Fargo To Repay Borrowers $80M For Insurance Charges
Wells Fargo To Repay Borrowers $80M For Insurance Charges

Wells Fargo will reimburse $80 million to car loan borrowers who were wrongly charged by the bank for insurance, it said late Thursday. The 570,000 borrowers had car loans with Wells Fargo but, because “there was no evidence” that they had car insurance, the bank…
Too Close for Comfort
Too Close for Comfort

With both wildfire and hurricane season in full force it is so important to know what to do if a fire or storm come too close for comfort. If you are told to evacuate immediately, do so ASAP. If there is a chance you may…
Minnesota Insurance Commissioner Acts to Protect Drivers from Unfair Auto Insurance Prices
Minnesota Insurance Commissioner Acts to Protect Drivers from Unfair Auto Insurance Prices

Insurance giant Farmers has been ordered to refund money, pay a penalty, and change its pricing practices in Minnesota by Insurance Commissioner Mike Rothman after the state’s Commerce Department found that the company charged higher auto insurance premiums to drivers who did not own their…
Right where we’re needed: Advocacy and Action Program UPdate
Right where we’re needed: Advocacy and Action Program UPdate

UP has been a powerful voice for insureds in 7 of the 10 biggest insurance rulings of the year so far and in the ones to watch for the balance of the year. In Washington D.C. we’re working hard on extending and reforming the National Flood Insurance program…
New York Regulator Seeks Details From Life Insurers Using Algorithms to Issue Policies
New York Regulator Seeks Details From Life Insurers Using Algorithms to Issue Policies

New York’s top financial regulator is investigating life insurers’ use of big data, complicating the industry’s efforts to boost sales by forgoing medical examinations in favor of algorithms for sizing up risk. New York’s top financial regulator is investigating life insurers’ use of big data,…
Guest Blog: United Policyholders Amicus Project Scores Victory For Texas Homeowners and Businesses
Guest Blog: United Policyholders Amicus Project Scores Victory For Texas Homeowners and Businesses

The availability of insurance coverage for loss or damage can hinge on the smallest details.  Did your insurer record that it received your notice letter?  Did your insurer’s investigator take note of those small but critical facts you pointed out during the investigation?  Did you…
House Committee Adds 5 More Bills to Its Flood Insurance Reform Package
House Committee Adds 5 More Bills to Its Flood Insurance Reform Package

The House Financial Services Committee advanced five flood insurance proposals on Wednesday, adding to the two bills it passed last week. The House measures seek to reform and reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which is set to expire on September 30, for five…