Many Struggle to Rebuild After Last Year’s Wildfires
Many Struggle to Rebuild After Last Year’s Wildfires

Victims of last October’s wildfires gathered for a news conference in Rancho Bernardo on Wednesday, asking for help from Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner. Many say they have not resolved their claims with their insurance companies because they were grossly underinsured. “He needs to follow through…
Most S.D. Wildfire Victims Still in Struggle with Insurance Companies to Rebuild
Most S.D. Wildfire Victims Still in Struggle with Insurance Companies to Rebuild

Even though it’s been six months since wildfires ravaged more than 1,600 homes in the San Diego area, only a handful have begun to rebuild. That’s because for many wildfire survivors, dealing with their insurance companies was like a second disaster. Reporter David Nogueras has…
Under-insured fire families in a tough spot
Under-insured fire families in a tough spot

Scores of Witch Creek fire victims are learning they do not have enough insurance to rebuild an equivalent home. Valerie Brown, RB United project coordinator, said at least 110 families she is helping navigate through the recovery process have discovered their homes were 30 to…
Wildfire victims demand help fighting insurance companies
Wildfire victims demand help fighting insurance companies

Homeowners’ policies not covering costs of rebuilding This story has been modified since its original posting. RANCHO BERNARDO —- Stan Newman and about two dozen others who lost their homes in last year’s Witch Creek fire complained Wednesday they had made almost no progress toward…
Wildfires heat up debate on rising rebuilding costs
Wildfires heat up debate on rising rebuilding costs

Are policies adequate to help make homeowners whole? Stan Newman figures it will cost him close to $400,000 to rebuild his three-bedroom home, which burned to the ground in the fall when a wildfire swept through his neighborhood in the San Diego County community of…
California fires an insurance wake-up call
California fires an insurance wake-up call

Many homeowners in California have discovered that their homes that were destroyed by recent wildfires were underinsured. So who is to blame, the homeowners or insurance agents? When Dave Wilder and his wife, Lynn, surveyed the remains of their house after it burned to the…
Expert Advice On Talking To Insurance Companies
Expert Advice On Talking To Insurance Companies

Dealing with an insurance company is never on anyone’s list of favorite things to do, but you’ll be more successful if you know how to make your case when filing a claim. That includes what not to say to your insurance company. Charles Thomas still…
Tips To Get Your Insurance Claim Approved
Tips To Get Your Insurance Claim Approved

San Francisco, California – Insurance companies are in the business of making money. So consumers need to know these tips to avoid getting the runaround. Charles Thomas still isn’t sure which was worse: The fire that broke out on the deck of his San Francisco…
Underinsured wildfire victims feel burned again
Underinsured wildfire victims feel burned again

Some policyholders believe companies deliberately sold them less coverage than they would need to rebuild. An industry group says the issue is overblown. When Dave Wilder and his wife, Lynn, surveyed the remains of their Running Springs house after it burned to the ground in…
UP wildfire recovery resources featured in The Rotary Club of Montecito
UP wildfire recovery resources featured in The Rotary Club of Montecito

The Tea Fire is out but many of our neighbors are just beginning the process of putting their lives back together from the ashes that remain. Montecito Rotary Club President-elect shared the following information from Karen Reimus, who has experience in the aftermath of fire…
We’re Covered! Fire Insurers Say They Can Handle Claims
We’re Covered! Fire Insurers Say They Can Handle Claims

LOS ANGELES– Experts say insurance companies are sufficiently well capitalized to handle the flood of claims that will arise from the Southland’s latest wildfires, it was reported today. “The majority of those who lost their homes do not need to worry about the solvency of…
Poizner rule changes criticized as a nod to insurance industry
Poizner rule changes criticized as a nod to insurance industry

SACRAMENTO – Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner rode to victory in 2006 partly on the effects of a TV ad ridiculing his opponent, Cruz Bustamante, for taking bagloads of cash from the industry he wanted to regulate. Two years later, Poizner has held firm to his…
Hijacked On Home Insurance? Let Angie’s List Help You Save
Hijacked On Home Insurance? Let Angie’s List Help You Save

When Jen Freeland and her husband bought their house in Chattanooga, Tenn., they purchased a homeowners policy with an annual premium of $680. Two years later, the bill jumped to nearly double that. “We’ve never had a claim on our homeowners insurance and we’d like…
Homeowner’s Insurance: Make Sure You Are Covered
Homeowner’s Insurance: Make Sure You Are Covered

As Tropical Storm Ida works its way north, it’s a good reminder to check your homeowners insurance and make sure you have the proper coverage. After all, you don’t want to end up like Daniel Zwerdling and Barbara Zwerdling-Rothschild. On a stormy night six years…
Rising Home Insurance Rates Spur Some To Shop Around
Rising Home Insurance Rates Spur Some To Shop Around

When Jen Freeland and her husband bought their house in Chattanooga, Tenn., they purchased a homeowners policy with an annual premium of $680. Two years later, the bill jumped to nearly double that. “We’ve never had a claim on our homeowners insurance and we’d like…
Paperwork, Pain, and the Long Road Back: The Ins and Outs of the Post-Wildfire Insurance Tango
Paperwork, Pain, and the Long Road Back: The Ins and Outs of the Post-Wildfire Insurance Tango

By Ethan Stewart December 10, 2009 In the past 13 months, the foothills above Santa Barbara and Montecito have seen two ferocious fires tear through their countryside. Ravaging storied neighborhoods such as Mountain Drive, Coyote Road, and San Roque Canyon, the Tea and Jesusita fires…
Poizner Hails Recovery From Fires, Says Most Claims Are Resolved
Poizner Hails Recovery From Fires, Says Most Claims Are Resolved

ESCONDIDO — Standing in front of an Escondido home that rose from the ashes of the 2007 wildfires, California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner said yesterday that the pain of post-fire recovery and rebuilding has finally ended for most of the victims. Poizner, who is running…
UP Press Conference Highlights Ongoing Insurance Claim Problems
UP Press Conference Highlights Ongoing Insurance Claim Problems

“TWICE BURNED” WHAT: 2008 Freeway Complex Fire Survivors from Yorba Linda and Anaheim Hills hold press conference as they face one-year fire anniversary to discuss insurance obstacles to rebuilding and call for action WHEN: Friday, November 13, 2009 at 10:00 am WHERE: 475 S. Laureltree…