Residents of Western States Face a Dry, Dangerous, Underinsured Future
Residents of Western States Face a Dry, Dangerous, Underinsured Future

As thousands lost everything, insurers have jacked up premiums—or fled altogether. When Steve Kress moved into an old ambulance he’d converted into a travel van some weeks ago, he’d started wearing a pin that reads “Since I gave up hope, I feel much better.” “It’s true…
Fire insurance policies: an endangered species
Fire insurance policies: an endangered species

SAN MATEO COUNTY, Calif. – With fire season now just peaking and plenty of weeks still to go, we have already racked up California’s worst ever fire season. On a regular basis, homeowners in the urban wildland interface are getting multiple shocks from massive insurance…
San Diego fire victim shares tips and lessons learned
San Diego fire victim shares tips and lessons learned

Karen Reimus and her family lost their home and everything in it in the 2003 Cedar Fire that destroyed more than 2,200 homes in San Diego County. SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. — California’s drought conditions are going from bad to worse, sparking fears that this…
No matter the fire risk, California insurance companies can’t cancel your policy
No matter the fire risk, California insurance companies can’t cancel your policy

State officials have banned companies from revoking renewals of policies in high fire risk areas. For Amy Bach, the turning point in her job came in 2018, when she heard the news that 1 million trees in the Sierra Nevada forests were dead. “I’m not a…
Californians risk losing insurance, face steep premium increase as wildfires worsen
Californians risk losing insurance, face steep premium increase as wildfires worsen

Wildfires in California have burned a record 1 million acres this year. As wildfires continue to rage across the state, Californians face an increased risk of losing homeowners insurance or a steep premium increase. CALIFORNIA’S INSURANCE CRISIS Tucked away in an oak forest off Highway…
Homeowners may reap benefit of insurance coverage ruling
Homeowners may reap benefit of insurance coverage ruling

Tens of thousands of California residents in fire-prone areas have been caught in the middle of a battle between Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara and the insurance companies. The fight involves California’s FAIR coverage plan, the insurer of last resort, where homeowners go if their insurance…
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…
Court: California can expand insurance for wildfire areas
Court: California can expand insurance for wildfire areas

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. California’s insurance commissioner can order the “insurer of last resort” to offer more options for homeowners who can’t buy traditional coverage because they live in areas threatened by wildfires, a judge ruled. Massive wildfires in recent years have destroyed thousands of homes across…
After years of deadly fires, PG&E again vows to do better
After years of deadly fires, PG&E again vows to do better

By MICHAEL LIEDTKE The Associated Press SANTA ROSA, Calif. (AP) — The nation’s largest utility has long vowed to change its reckless ways, but year after year there’s more death and destruction from Northern California wildfires sparked by Pacific Gas & Electric’s equipment. CEO Patricia…
Bach Talk – Oregon enacts pro-policyholder wildfire claim reforms
Bach Talk – Oregon enacts pro-policyholder wildfire claim reforms

We’re proud to report that UP recently helped enact H.B. 3272, a new Oregon law that will improve the flow of insurance funds for replacing wildfire-destroyed homes and property. UP has long advocated that on total loss claims where the homeowner did nothing to cause…
East Bay Resident Makes Fire Prevention a Passion
East Bay Resident Makes Fire Prevention a Passion

OAKLAND (KPIX) — An Bay Area resident who has been a fire prevention activist since she lost her home in the Oakland Hills firestorm 30 years ago, Sue Piper is passionate about disaster preparedness. The Gateway Preparedness Exhibit Center educates people on how to prepare for wildfires…
Fire Victim Trust to Begin Making First Pro Rata Payments to Fire Victims
Fire Victim Trust to Begin Making First Pro Rata Payments to Fire Victims

March 12, 2021, San Francisco – On Monday, March 15, the Fire Victim Trust (FVT) will begin distributing the first round of pro rata payments toward satisfying the claims of individuals and families who suffered losses in the 2015 Butte Fire, 2017 North Bay Fires…
Commissioner Lara proposes new transparency rules to help consumers better prepare for wildfires
Commissioner Lara proposes new transparency rules to help consumers better prepare for wildfires

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – After hearing from many Californians about their frustration and confusion over how insurance companies rate properties for wildfire risk, on Tuesday State Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara proposed new rules to give homeowners and businesses open access to their properties’ wildfire risk…
California seeks to establish new fire-safe standards for homes, insurers
California seeks to establish new fire-safe standards for homes, insurers

California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara on Monday announced an effort to establish home-hardening standards that could protect participating homeowners from canceled policies and soaring rates while providing a mechanism to encourage fire-safe retrofits that could save lives and property. The effort, which will begin this month with…
Few California court wins for pandemic business-interruption claims
Few California court wins for pandemic business-interruption claims

As North Coast businesses grapple with insurance claims from the 2020 wildfires on top of ongoing issues with coverage for the coronavirus lockdowns of a number of economic activities, a major advocate for policyholders said those types of losses differ but they’re connected by promises…
Insurance questions following Colorado’s devastating wildfires? There’s a nonprofit that can help
Insurance questions following Colorado’s devastating wildfires? There’s a nonprofit that can help

The nonprofit group United Policyholders is helping fire-affected residents in Grand, Boulder and Larimer counties navigate insurance claims to ensure they get the most out of their policies. “We will walk them through their policy and teach them how to work with their insurance company…
Gov. Newsom signs insurance bill providing quicker payments for wildfire losses
Gov. Newsom signs insurance bill providing quicker payments for wildfire losses

Wildfire victims who lose their home and possessions will be able to recoup money for their expenses faster, thanks to legislation that makes property insurance benefits easier to collect. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 872 into law Thursday, providing a suite of insurance protections…
California Insurance Commissioner Urges Insurance Companies to Cover Wildfire Property Losses Without Requiring a Home Inventory
California Insurance Commissioner Urges Insurance Companies to Cover Wildfire Property Losses Without Requiring a Home Inventory

October 3, 2020 – SACRAMENTO, Calif. — In response to California’s latest destructive fires, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara is requesting that insurance companies help wildfire survivors who are overwhelmed with the task of navigating the claims process by providing up to 100 percent of personal…