Big Data TMI and the impact on policyholders
Big Data TMI and the impact on policyholders

The terms “Big Data”, “Data Mining” and “Price Optimization” are all the buzz in insurance circles and among state insurance regulators.  They, non-profit consumer advocates, the private bar, and the Federal Insurance Office are all diving into whether the massive amount of personal data that’s…
Swamped
Swamped

Today began with a 7:30 briefing call hosted by the Coalition for Sustainable Flood Insurance, of which United Policyholders is a member.  This “can-do” coalition seeks to make flood insurance affordable and available through the National Flood Insurance Program.  They are aware of parallel efforts…
Your privacy, your price
Your privacy, your price

UP works to help you get a fair deal when you buy or use insurance. We direct you to sources of reliable comparison-shopping help. We offer more claim guidance than anyone could use in one lifetime. But we can’t protect you from hackers and trackers…
Why the W.Va. floods were so deadly and destructive
Why the W.Va. floods were so deadly and destructive

Steep mountains, narrow valleys and a deadly train of storms came together in West Virginia to cause the horrendous flooding that killed 23 people last week, forced thousands to evacuate and destroyed or damaged thousands of homes and businesses. West Virginia got hit by a…
What’s a jilted policyholder to do?
What’s a jilted policyholder to do?

Getting a “non-renewal” notice from your home insurer is not a pleasant experience: You have to shop for replacement protection, and that’s no fun. You may have to leave a brand-name insurer for one you’ve never heard of. And on top of that, you probably…
Roadmap to Recovery Workshop – Clayton Fire (Clearlake, CA)
Roadmap to Recovery Workshop – Clayton Fire (Clearlake, CA)

United Policyholders is hosting its first Roadmap to Recovery workshop for Clayton Fire survivors in partnership with UMCOR and Team Lake County on September 6, 2016. The workshop will start at 6PM and will be at the Clearlake United Methodist Church, 14521 Pearl Ave, Clearlake, CA 95422. Karen Reimus will cover insurance recovery orientation…
Rays of hope as Middletown residents return amid Valley fire
Rays of hope as Middletown residents return amid Valley fire

The Valley fire had spoiled Eric Lopez’s marriage proposal, but the story took an astonishing turn Saturday as he and his partner, Annette Perez, returned to their demolished Middletown apartment, armed with a shovel and rake to search the ashen remains of their worldy possessions.…
Home is home, rented or owned
Home is home, rented or owned

Buying renter’s insurance is an easy “yes” decision if you’ve got assets to protect. Most policies cost the equivalent of a few cups of coffee a week. A renter’s policy can give you money to repair/replace damaged and stolen stuff, moving costs if your place…
Long Island Company Charged in Insurance Scheme After Hurricane Sandy
Long Island Company Charged in Insurance Scheme After Hurricane Sandy

A Long Island engineering company and one of its former executives were charged on Monday in a scheme to minimize insurance payments to homeowners whose residences were damaged by Hurricane Sandy in 2012. In a 50-count indictment, Eric T. Schneiderman, the New York attorney general,…
Are insurance rates going up for people on the fire line? and other FAQ about fire insurance)
Are insurance rates going up for people on the fire line? and other FAQ about fire insurance)

As of midday Friday, the Soberanes Fire in Monterey County had destroyed at least 41 homes and put at least 2,000 homes and other buildings at risk. Meanwhile, the Sand Fire, which has burned more than 38,800 acres in the Santa Clarita hillsides, is 85…
Why Insurance Companies Don’t Renew Policies
Why Insurance Companies Don’t Renew Policies

FOR the better part of a week last year, Nancy Wergeles searched her home in Weston, Conn., for the engagement ring her husband had given her 53 years before. They had had a string of health care aides in their home and were also putting…
Bach Talk – Forced Arbitration Exposed
Bach Talk – Forced Arbitration Exposed

UP and the consumer advocate community have been fighting for decades against mandatory arbitration wording in banking and other commercial contracts that force people to use private binding arbitration instead of public courts to resolve disputes.  Although some health insurance and most commercial property policies…
Insurance emergency bulletin issued for West Virginia flood victims
Insurance emergency bulletin issued for West Virginia flood victims

Flash floods are doubly devastating because they often hit areas that had not been classified as flood risk zones.  Because most people only buy flood insurance if they’re in a zone where mortgage lenders by law make them buy it, flash flood victims rarely have…
You better not be reading this while driving!
You better not be reading this while driving!

Cell phones are powerfully addictive. People rarely put them down – even when driving. Insurance companies are citing an increase in distracted driving accidents and raising car insurance rates across the country. Buckle your seat belts – figuratively and literally, and be a savvy consumer:…
Roadmap to Recovery Workshop – Kamiah, Idaho
Roadmap to Recovery Workshop – Kamiah, Idaho

UP is partnering with WUNCCIL (long term recovery group) to host a Roadmap to Recovery workshop for wildfire survivors in Kamiah, Idaho on June 28th at 6pm at the Kamiah Fire Station on Main St. This workshop will cover: Navigating your insurance claim Extending deadlines Recovering “held-back”…
Advocacy and Action Update
Advocacy and Action Update

In addition to educating the 400,000 people that used our website last year and the people that call us on the phone or use the buying and claim guidance we distribute through partners like the American Red Cross and United Methodist Committee on Relief, we…
Trust but verify
Trust but verify

If an insurance company rep gives you a dollar figure – get a second opinion. Whether it’s an estimate to repair damage or a quote to insure your property – trust but verify that it’s accurate. This same adage applies to medical diagnoses for serious…
Bach Talk: Preserving the promise of liability protection
Bach Talk: Preserving the promise of liability protection

I had the privilege of working with Gail Hillebrand in the early 90’s when she was a Senior Attorney in Consumers Union’s West Coast regional office.  Our offices were in the same building, and I was representing Voter Revolt (the predecessor to Consumer Watchdog) in implementing Proposition 103.  Gail…