Hope and heartache in the year of fire
Hope and heartache in the year of fire

Cobb Mountain – Maya Leonard sighed deeply as she stood between her parents on a sun-dappled morning in late spring, her freckled face somber. Her mother, Cindy, and father, David, each draped an arm around her shoulders. Maya watched as one of six men in…
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…
Family finances: Don’t get caught ‘undercovered’
Family finances: Don’t get caught ‘undercovered’

One-half to two-thirds of homeowners who experience a total loss don’t have enough insurance to rebuild their home and replace their belongings, according to post-disaster surveys of homeowners by United Policyholders, a consumer advocacy group. Here’s how to be sure you’re covered. 1. Check the…
Six Years After Fourmile Canyon Fire, Cold Springs Fire Brings Up Insurance Claims
Six Years After Fourmile Canyon Fire, Cold Springs Fire Brings Up Insurance Claims

Recovery continues for folks impacted by the Cold Springs fire last month, which destroyed eight properties and led to evacuations of nearly 2000 others in the Nederland area. With the six year anniversary of the Fourmile Canyon fire on the horizon in September, experts from…
Document Flood and Fire Damage to Ease Insurance Claims
Document Flood and Fire Damage to Ease Insurance Claims

Victims of the recent flooding in Louisiana and wildfires in California should all do one thing: Document the damage to their property. Taking photos is crucial to help bolster an insurance claim, said Amy Bach, executive director of United Policyholders, a nonprofit consumer advisory group,…
This is how a California wildfire can change your homeowners insurance rate
This is how a California wildfire can change your homeowners insurance rate

Some Southern California residents have seen their insurance rates skyrocket as a result of wildfires. The latest round of fires is fueling concerns that rates may eventually be boosted again. Scores of Southern California residents living in or near the path of the latest wildfires…
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.…
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…
How to find the replacement cost of your home for insurance
How to find the replacement cost of your home for insurance

When Herb Solomon changed his homeowners’ insurance this year, he was surprised to see that his new company estimated the replacement cost of his 2,600-square-foot North Berkeley home at roughly one-third less than the old one. Solomon’s policy last year, from Fireman’s Fund, had a…
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…
Insurance Check UP
Insurance Check UP

Yes the Internet makes it easy to insure your home or business without actually meeting the person who’s selling you the policy. But given how valuable your assets are to you, don’t you want to be confident in that person’s expertise and ethics? United Policyholders…
Angie’s List offers free service for Houston flood victims to connect with contractors
Angie’s List offers free service for Houston flood victims to connect with contractors

HOUSTON – Victims of flooding who need to make home repairs can benefit from a free service now being offered by Angie’s List, a review and rating website geared toward consumers. Angie’s List is offering KPRC viewers, who’ve experienced flood damage, free access to the…
Homeowners responsible for proper insurance
Homeowners responsible for proper insurance

It’s been nearly four years since an unknown source sparked one of the costliest wildfires in Colorado history. Waldo Canyon fire insurance claims totaled more than $350 million — almost $1 million for every home lost. That fire’s infelicitous record would stand less than a…
Staying protected after a loss without wasting $$
Staying protected after a loss without wasting $$

New Publication – We have updated our Claim Guidance Library to include a new publication: Updating Your Insurance After a Loss. If your home and property were severely damaged or destroyed, you may be thinking about adjusting your insurance coverage to avoid wasting money insuring things that no longer…
How to Save by Bundling Auto and Home Insurance
How to Save by Bundling Auto and Home Insurance

When it comes to insurance, we all look for ways to save money. One of the easiest and most common ways to save is by bundling auto and home insurance with one company. Insurance companies typically offer discounts in exchange for carrying more than one…
Income tax tips workshop for Butte Fire survivors
Income tax tips workshop for Butte Fire survivors

United Policyholders, a San Francisco-based nonprofit agency that assists insurance holders after disasters, will host a workshop offering tax tips for Butte Fire victims at 6 p.m. Friday in the Mountain Ranch Community Club, 8049 Washington St., Mountain Ranch. United Policyholders Executive Director Amy Bach…
Dam Ice!
Dam Ice!

With spring around the corner, home and business owners in snow-prone areas should be on the lookout for damage from ice dams. Extreme cold and unseasonably warm winter weather has caused ice dams to form on building roofs from New England to Minnesota. Trapped water…