Fall 2019 Newsletter
Fall 2019 Newsletter

“We’ve got your back when insurance matters” is our clever way of explaining our organization’s value and mission. Like it or not, insurance really matters to your financial and physical health and the quality of your life. But it sure is hard to shop for and…
What’s UP? December 2019
What’s UP? December 2019

BACH TALK A message from Co-Founder and Executive Director, Amy Bach “We’ve got your back when insurance matters” is our clever way of explaining our organization’s value and mission. Like it or not, insurance really does matter to your financial and physical health and the…
Wildfires Likely to Boost California Surplus Lines Homeowners Share; FAIR Plan Expansion Questioned
Wildfires Likely to Boost California Surplus Lines Homeowners Share; FAIR Plan Expansion Questioned

Wildfires Likely to Boost California Surplus Lines Homeowners Share; FAIR Plan Expansion Questioned Premium volume from homeowners polices written by California’s surplus lines industry, although still small, has doubled over the past four years, seemingly pushed by an increase in wildfires in the state. Some…
NEW extended deadline: December 31. How to apply for compensation for uninsured wildfire losses from the PG&E fund
NEW extended deadline: December 31. How to apply for compensation for uninsured wildfire losses from the PG&E fund

If you were affected by the recent (2015, 2017, 2018) Northern California Wildfires you have until 5pm on Monday, October 21st, 2019 December 31, 2019 (deadline extended!) to file a claim form to potentially receive compensation from PG&E for your uninsured losses. We encourage you to watch the…
Kincade Fire Survivors – Visit UP in the LAC
Kincade Fire Survivors – Visit UP in the LAC

United Policyholders will be helping Kincade Fire survivors at the Local Assistance Center in Healdsburg from Monday, November 4th – Wednesday, November 6th. The LAC will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Residents impacted by the Kincade Fire can access recovery services and…
Thanks for giving!
Thanks for giving!

It’s time to give thanks. We are so grateful to all our supporters who generously give their time, experience, expertise and dollars to help United Policyholders be where we are needed. A special thank you to the volunteers that helped UP tell our story in…
Tips for shopping for home insurance in a challenging market
Tips for shopping for home insurance in a challenging market

It is not uncommon for people to break down in tears after getting a notice that their home insurer is dropping them as a customer.  In some cases, it’s tears of frustration that they paid all that money for insurance they never used, or tears…
Gov. Newsom signs law requiring home insurers give policyholders more time before cancellations
Gov. Newsom signs law requiring home insurers give policyholders more time before cancellations

Gov. Gavin Newsom on Saturday signed legislation into law that makes insurers give homeowners longer advance notice before canceling their policies. The law increases the minimum time notification for homeowner policy nonrenewals from 45 days to 75 days. However, the change does not go into…
First Steps After a Wildfire
First Steps After a Wildfire

If you, or someone you know has been affected by the recent fires, please read our First Steps After a Wildfire below.  We encourage you to visit our website throughout the recovery process. This checklist will help keep you on track during this stressful time.…
Spooky Language Hiding in Your Insurance?
Spooky Language Hiding in Your Insurance?

Getting a notice from a home insurer that they’re dropping you is scary, and UP works hard to help people in that situation. Read our latest tips on shopping for affordable home insurance when your options are limited. Just as scary is hearing your insurer…
Deadlines and Decisions: Two-Year Anniversary Bulletin for 2017 North Bay Fire impacted households
Deadlines and Decisions: Two-Year Anniversary Bulletin for 2017 North Bay Fire impacted households

Home insurance policies typically limit the amount of time you have to collect all available replacement cost and loss of use/ALE benefits and to file a lawsuit. Your insurance company is legally required to provide you with written notice 60 days before any deadline or benefit expiration they want…
Roadmap to Recovery Survey
Roadmap to Recovery Survey

Our surveys are one of the ways we keep our fingers on the pulse of the recovery.  The data collected helps us serve your community and informs our advocacy work in the courts, legislatures, media and public policy forums. Make sure your voice is heard!…
WRAP UP: The Wildfire Risk Reduction and Asset Protection Project
WRAP UP: The Wildfire Risk Reduction and Asset Protection Project

Above, R to L:  After his insurer threatened to drop him, a Moraga, CA homeowner contacted his local Fire Dept. for help. UP’s Amy Bach rode along with local fire officials as they inspected and prescribed steps to reduce risk and retain his coverage.  If…
THE PROTECTION GAP: Monitoring and addressing the extent to which US homes are under/uninsured: A national imperative
THE PROTECTION GAP: Monitoring and addressing the extent to which US homes are under/uninsured: A national imperative

In early August, 2019 at a national meeting of insurance regulators and stakeholders from across the country, United Policyholders helped set the stage for the important conversation that needs to be happening about the increasingly large gap between disaster recovery  costs and the amount of…
UP offers solutions to California’s home insurance crisis
UP offers solutions to California’s home insurance crisis

The problem: Generally speaking, insurance companies want to sell insurance. But they also want to be profitable.  Sometimes they will stop selling insurance in a region or to a group of customers they deem too risky.  They do this as a business strategy to improve profitability. …
Bach Talk: Your Money or Your Life (Insurance)
Bach Talk: Your Money or Your Life (Insurance)

  As with all types of insurance, you have choices to make when shopping for life insurance. If you’re in the market for life insurance, rates are the lowest they’ve been in 20 years. That is probably because fewer and fewer employers offer it as an employee…
Dropped by your home insurer? What to do…
Dropped by your home insurer? What to do…

In some parts of the country, home insurance is not as available and affordable as in the past, so UP is working hard to help consumers shop for asset protection. Avoid wasting energy being angry or scared when your insurer “breaks up” with you… Don’t…
Check UP: Volunteer Project – Helping homeowners review their insurance policies
Check UP: Volunteer Project – Helping homeowners review their insurance policies

On June 14, 2019, in Napa, United Policyholders hosted a community event called Check UP to help homeowners get prepared for wildfire season.  At Check UP, homeowners could bring a copy of their insurance policy and have an expert volunteer review the policy with them. …