Ignore Ads When Buying Insurance
Ignore Ads When Buying Insurance

“I would encourage people to completely ignore the marketing materials you receive from the insurers. The information is geared to persuade people to buy the product. It doesn’t explain the benefits clearly,” says former industry insider Wendell Potter in a recent New York Times interview. Potter’s advice…
A Health Insurance Insider Offers Words of Advice
A Health Insurance Insider Offers Words of Advice

WENDELL POTTER is a 20-year health insurance veteran who served in top public relations jobs at such firms as Cigna and Humana. Now a senior analyst at the Center for Public Integrity, Mr. Potter has written “Deadly Spin,” a tell-all about practices of the health…
Forged MetLife ‘Checks’ Show Retained-Asset Account Risks
Forged MetLife ‘Checks’ Show Retained-Asset Account Risks

After her mother died, Jasmine Williams was assured by MetLife Inc. that her $101,819 in life insurance benefits were safe and was sent what the company called a guaranteed money market “checkbook” in 2002. The next year, Williams, then 19, told New York-based MetLife that…
Regulators issue alert on retained asset accounts
Regulators issue alert on retained asset accounts
Officials, Advocates Tout Open-Enrollment Period for Children’s Coverage
Officials, Advocates Tout Open-Enrollment Period for Children’s Coverage
Insurance Credit Scoring
Insurance Credit Scoring
Shopping resources for insurance consumers
Shopping resources for insurance consumers

To: Interested Parties From: Amy Bach, Executive Director, United Policyholders , amy@uphelp.org Re: Shopping resources for insurance consumers Date: February 23, 2011 Through a “Roadmap to Preparedness” (R2P) program, non-profit United Policyholders is working hard throughout the United States to educate consumers on the importance…
Here’s to a Healthier New Year
Here’s to a Healthier New Year

As pieces of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act go into effect, UP will continue to explain new options and rules. In our June 2010 Tip of the Month we touched on the new protection that went into effect for parents who want to put their children…
Whistleblower suit filed against Allstate Insurance unsealed in federal court
Whistleblower suit filed against Allstate Insurance unsealed in federal court
Questions and Answers on Enrollment of Children Under 19 Under the New Policy that Prohibits Pre-Existing Condition Exclusions
Questions and Answers on Enrollment of Children Under 19 Under the New Policy that Prohibits Pre-Existing Condition Exclusions
Insurers’ Black Box: Now-Secret Claims Denial Rates Could Tell Consumers a Lot About Their Insurance Company
Insurers’ Black Box: Now-Secret Claims Denial Rates Could Tell Consumers a Lot About Their Insurance Company
P-U! Is sewage backup covered?
P-U! Is sewage backup covered?

Stinky sewage back-up and overflowing drains are a very common cause of damage to homes and businesses, especially those located in flat areas or near the bottom of slopes. Many policies now exclude coverage for the clean-up and repairs, but for a mere $20 a…
Take advantage and share the wealth
Take advantage and share the wealth

Take advantage of the wealth of information at www.uphelp.org and our network of professional insurance consumer advocates throughout the United States. We add new content to our website every week. ‘Tis the season to share: Tell your friends, relatives and colleagues about UP – let them…
A World of Hurt: Exams of Injured Workers Fuel Mutual Mistrust
A World of Hurt: Exams of Injured Workers Fuel Mutual Mistrust
Insurance Commissioners loom large in health care law
Insurance Commissioners loom large in health care law
San Diego County Roadmap to Preparedness Outreach and Education
San Diego County Roadmap to Preparedness Outreach and Education

Preparedness in the News: Resolutions to keep your family safe Insurance Commissioner: Time to Prepare for Wildfires Neighborhood Watch Meeting Draws Dozens Of Residents Disaster Preparedness Workshop Set Be “insurance assured” as wildfire season approaches Guest Speaker Shares Insurance Buying Tips With RB Community Council…
Whose money is talking?
Whose money is talking?

Whether it’s a damage report from a vendor hired by your insurer or a political ad…a savvy consumer needs to know whose money is behind the message. Is there a hidden agenda or can you trust what you’re hearing or reading? Who is paying to…
Water water everywhere…and not a drop of coverage?
Water water everywhere…and not a drop of coverage?

We’re not there yet, but we’re getting close, and UP is trying to stop the trend. It’s commonly known that you have to buy separate coverage for flood damage because it’s been excluded under most property policies for a long time. But water damage from…