First Steps After a Fire – Insurance Claim Help for Sea Spray Fire Impacted Residents
First Steps After a Fire – Insurance Claim Help for Sea Spray Fire Impacted Residents

United Policyholders is a nonprofit organization that is a voice and an information resource for insurance consumers in all 50 states. UP has helped guide disaster survivors on the road to recovery since 1991. This information is for residents and condo owners affected by the…
Omaha woman’s house burns down before they even move in. Then she learns what their home insurance covers: ‘It just doesn’t work like that’
Omaha woman’s house burns down before they even move in. Then she learns what their home insurance covers: ‘It just doesn’t work like that’

An Omaha woman recently realized that even if you have home insurance, you may not have the right terms to cover what you need. As 2025 was coming to an end, Conner Lukowski (connerrensch07) took to TikTok to share the horrible note on which their…
The Aspen Acres fire has destroyed your home. When it comes to insurance, what’s next?
The Aspen Acres fire has destroyed your home. When it comes to insurance, what’s next?

With 319 burned homes so far tallied, the Aspen Acres fire is the most destructive Colorado wildfire by homes lost since the Marshall fire in 2021. In the intervening half-decade, lessons learned have put a legislative focus on the Colorado insurance landscape for communities facing…
Setting the Record Straight: Common Insurance Myths California Homeowners Should Know
Setting the Record Straight: Common Insurance Myths California Homeowners Should Know

Southern Californians have watched insurance costs climb, coverage options shrink, and claim disputes multiply in recent years, and much of what people believe about why is simply wrong. As wildfire risk grows alongside a warming climate, understanding how the insurance market actually works matters more…
Four myths about insurance in California
Four myths about insurance in California

Many Californians have seen rising costs, less availability and are running into other issues with insurance — including delays and denials of their claims — in the past several years. As climate change increases the risk of wildfires and other disasters, it’s important to know…
These are the two ‘deadliest rooms’ for your documents in a disaster; Here’s how to protect them
These are the two ‘deadliest rooms’ for your documents in a disaster; Here’s how to protect them

If a wildfire or flood pushed you out of your home tonight, could you put your hands on the things that matter most in less than 10 minutes? Precious family photos, birth certificates, the deed to your house. If those things are in your attic…
Governor Polis Tours Disaster Assistance Center, Thanks Volunteers, Highlights Resources for Coloradans Impacted by Wildfires
Governor Polis Tours Disaster Assistance Center, Thanks Volunteers, Highlights Resources for Coloradans Impacted by Wildfires

PUEBLO, Colo. – Today, Governor Polis met with Coloradans impacted by the Aspen Acres Fire and the volunteers stepping up to help at the Pueblo Disaster Assistance Center. Governor Polis toured the DAC on his recent trip to Pueblo on July 2, the day after…
Can a Bernie-Backed Populist Fix California’s Home Insurance Crisis?
Can a Bernie-Backed Populist Fix California’s Home Insurance Crisis?

In the spring of 2023, insurance giants State Farm and Allstate announced they would no longer write new home insurance policies in California, citing intolerable exposure to the devastating wildfires that have become routine in the state. Farmers, USAA, and several smaller insurers quickly followed…
More California Communities Adopting Zone 0 Policy for Fire Safety
More California Communities Adopting Zone 0 Policy for Fire Safety

Insurance companies pushing homeowners to adopt Zone 0 policy for wildfire safety Catastrophic wildfires have devastated California in recent years. In the aftermath, we often ask ourselves – how do we make sure this doesn’t happen again? State officials are slowly phasing in one of…
SBA extends Los Angeles wildfire loan deadlines a third time
SBA extends Los Angeles wildfire loan deadlines a third time

The Small Business Administration (SBA) has issued a final extension of loan disbursement deadlines for Los Angeles wildfire survivors. The agency cited ongoing insurance claim disputes and permitting delays as reasons borrowers have been unable to access approved funds. The extension gives approved borrowers 24…
Wildfire Evacuation Tips
Wildfire Evacuation Tips

If you are told to evacuate immediately, do so. If you think you may have to evacuate, we suggest the following ASAP: 1) Document your home and “stuff.” If you do not have a home inventory, create one before you evacuate.  Take pictures or a video of each…
Inside California’s Home Insurance Squeeze: Higher Bills, Fewer Choices
Inside California’s Home Insurance Squeeze: Higher Bills, Fewer Choices

After the LA fires, a $1 billion bill landed on providers and their customers; costs jumped 84% over 6 years, Stanford data shows. In A Nutshell Average monthly home insurance premiums for California single-family homes rose 84% between 2020 and 2026 (45% after inflation), about…
California Homeowners Face New Wildfire Deductibles
California Homeowners Face New Wildfire Deductibles

Some California homeowners are now facing new wildfire deductibles in their insurance policies, causing concern among residents and officials. Attorney Shant Karnikian, who represents Los Angeles residents affected by last year’s fires, discovered a $621,000 wildfire deductible in a client’s AIG insurance policy. This is…
Some California homeowners now face ‘wildfire deductibles.’ Why that’s a problem.
Some California homeowners now face ‘wildfire deductibles.’ Why that’s a problem.

After a Washington Post inquiry, Michael Soller, deputy commissioner of communications for the California Department of Insurance, indicated Commissioner Ricardo Lara will launch a review of these insurance policies. Read more.
Homeowners face crushing insurance cost increases
Homeowners face crushing insurance cost increases

Homeowners insurance premiums climbed 24% nationwide between 2021 and 2024, with the steepest increases hitting inland states like Utah and Illinois rather than the hurricane-prone coasts. Communities that were once considered low risk for insurance pricing are now facing double-digit rate increases. Higher construction costs…
Hoʻōla LTRG, MDS and partners celebrate Valerie Hoʻopai and ʻohana’s return home to Lahaina
Hoʻōla LTRG, MDS and partners celebrate Valerie Hoʻopai and ʻohana’s return home to Lahaina

More than 150 project partners, friends, family and community supporters gathered Friday for a home dedication and blessing honoring Valerie Hoʻopai and her ʻohana in Lahaina. The blessing marked a meaningful milestone in the Hoʻopai ʻohana’s recovery journey, as they returned to a newly rebuilt…
Battle over smoke-damaged homes from LA County wildfires could reshape fire insurance
Battle over smoke-damaged homes from LA County wildfires could reshape fire insurance

The outcome could have ramifications nationwide and either open the door to billions in additional claims or slam the door shut for homeowners. Read more.
Firewise leaders push for regional emergency preparedness
Firewise leaders push for regional emergency preparedness

More than 150 wildfire preparedness leaders, residents and fire safety professionals from across Southern California gathered in Calabasas May 9 for a regional Firewise Leader workshop focused on helping neighborhoods better prepare for increasingly severe wildfire seasons. The gathering at the Calabasas Community Center invited…