How Much Life Insurance Should You Buy?
How Much Life Insurance Should You Buy?

How much life insurance do you need? The answer depends on several factors, including your age, the ages of your spouse and children, your income, your mortgage and other debts, college expenses for your children and/or spouse, and the size of the last bill you’ll…
Need life insurance? Consider these options for financial protection
Need life insurance? Consider these options for financial protection

When you die, will your family be financially protected? That question remains unanswered by about 95 million Americans living without life insurance, says Marvin Feldman, president and CEO of the LIFE Foundation, a nonprofit based in Arlington, Va., that provides insurance resources for consumers. It’s…
Roof insurance: ACV versus replacement cost
Roof insurance: ACV versus replacement cost

If you live in one of the states hardest hit by wind and hail damage these past few years, you may have a gaping hole in your roof insurance coverage without even knowing it. A string of unusually costly years for roof damage claims in…
Northridge Earthquake Anniversary: Despite retrofits, are homes any safer now?
Northridge Earthquake Anniversary: Despite retrofits, are homes any safer now?

The 1994 Northridge earthquake — which shook Southern California 20 years ago Friday — caused $20 billion in damage, much of that to buildings. About 82,000 residential and commercial units were affected. Some homes were outright destroyed because they were not bolted to their foundations,…
Buy, Rebuild or Cash Out
Buy, Rebuild or Cash Out

To help all El Paso County residents with insurance questions United Policyholders, an experienced non-profit consumer group, will be hosting another one of its nationally recognized “Roadmap to Recovery” workshops from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 9. This workshop is entitled “Buy, Rebuild…
Work from home? TCB
Work from home? TCB

Thanks to the Internet, FedEx, Priority Mail and UPS – more and more people are avoiding the drag of commuting by working from home. If you’re one of the estimated 43 million Americans in this mode – you’ll want the right insurance in place. You…
Flood insurance reform law – what it means to homeowners
Flood insurance reform law – what it means to homeowners

By Marjorie Musick The Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 was passed in July and requires the National Flood Insurance Program NFIP) to raise insurance rates for some older properties in high-risk areas to reflect the true flood risk. Some homeowners have already received…
Don’t Bark UP the Wrong Tree – Pet Insurance Tips
Don’t Bark UP the Wrong Tree – Pet Insurance Tips

If you are among the 70 + million households in the US that own a dog or cat, you may not have considered pet insurance. But one emergency visit to your vet can make you rethink that decision. There are lots of pet insurance plans…
How Insurance Plays a Role in Disaster Recovery
How Insurance Plays a Role in Disaster Recovery

Each natural disaster reminds us of the value of insurance to protect our homes and businesses. But with the news filled with stories about homeowners still waiting to settle claims, or insurance covering less damage than expected, what is the role of private insurance in…
Too Good to be True?
Too Good to be True?

Enjoy this week’s holiday, and: THANKS FOR GIVING… your time, your expertise and your dollars to keep UP strong. So far this year we’ve sent you monthly money-saving tips and the straight scoop on flood and car rental insurance, employer-provided disability policies, home air quality…
Deadline for filing flood insurance claims from Sept. 2013 CO disaster extended 21 days
Deadline for filing flood insurance claims from Sept. 2013 CO disaster extended 21 days

UP encouraged Colorado public officials and residents to ask FEMA to extend the 60 day deadline for flood victims to file insurance claims. Many people still don’t have access to their homes – so it’s impossible for them to get a complete evaluation/scope of loss…
5 Factors That Could Raise Your Insurance Rates
5 Factors That Could Raise Your Insurance Rates

Insurers consider a dizzying number of factors in determining premiums, so it’s often challenging for consumers to understand why they’re paying higher rates than their neighbors or co-workers. “All the consumer can do is ask questions when they buy insurance and get comparison apples-to-apples quotes…
November 6, 2013 United States Senate Hearing – One Year Later: Examining the Ongoing Recovery From Hurricane Sandy
November 6, 2013 United States Senate Hearing – One Year Later: Examining the Ongoing Recovery From Hurricane Sandy

http://www.hsgac.senate.gov/subcommittees/emdc/hearings/one-year-later-examining-the-ongoing-recovery-from-hurricane-sandy
What’s UP with Renter’s Insurance?
What’s UP with Renter’s Insurance?

Here’s a quiz for renters – 35% of all the households in the U.S… True or False? A nearby fire leaves your clothing, furniture and rugs smoke damaged and waterlogged. Your landlord’s insurance will cover the costs of moving and cleaning and replacing your property.…
Sandy: Insurance After The Storm
Sandy: Insurance After The Storm
Auto insurance: Downshift with caution
Auto insurance: Downshift with caution

For the average driver, premiums are up 23% over five years vs. 7% for overall inflation. A 40-year-old man now typically pays $1,510 and up to $2,700, says Insure.com. Perhaps you’re thinking that if you just drive down your limits a bit, or switch to…
Consumer Watch: Renters Insurance Can Be A Good Buy
Consumer Watch: Renters Insurance Can Be A Good Buy

Julie Watts reports on why it may be worth a few hundred dollars to insure your possessions.
For Some Sandy Victims, Insurance Falls Short
For Some Sandy Victims, Insurance Falls Short

NEW YORK — Many homeowners who got slammed by Superstorm Sandy are finding their flood insurance checks are nowhere near large enough to cover their repairs, and consumer advocates put some of the blame on errors by the multitude of adjusters who were hired in…