Survey shows Fourmile fire victims severely underinsured
Survey shows Fourmile fire victims severely underinsured

Almost one year after the Fourmile Canyon wildfire devastated mountain communities in Boulder County, only 64 percent of victims surveyed have settled their insurance claim, and for many the settlement will not be enough to rebuild their home. Other key findings from respondents include: •…
Insurance lawsuits to follow Irene
Insurance lawsuits to follow Irene

As the water recedes from Hurricane Irene, lawyers are expecting disputes over insurance coverage to pour in. The biggest fights will stem from arguments over property damage and whether it resulted from wind or water, legal experts said. Similar questions arose in the aftermath of…
Homeowners insurance regulations take effect
Homeowners insurance regulations take effect

New statewide homeowners insurance regulations took effect Monday that, depending upon who you believe, either protect consumers against under being insured or restrict the ability of insurers to enlighten homeowners about their coverage. California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones announced the new regs Monday along with…
New rules aim to curb homeowner underinsurance
New rules aim to curb homeowner underinsurance

The devastating wildfires of 2007 burned twice for Janice and John Strizver. There was the the initial, horrific loss of their Ramona home consumed by fire. And then came the slow, angry burn on realizing that their insurance payout would fall far short of the…
Nonprofit to Hold Workshop to Address Fire Survivors’ Legal, Insurance Questions
Nonprofit to Hold Workshop to Address Fire Survivors’ Legal, Insurance Questions

The workshop will provide tips and emotional support for those still struggling to recover from the Sept. 9 pipeline explosion. As the anniversary of the Sept. 9 pipeline explosion approaches, nonprofit United Policyholders wants to make sure survivors of the fire get all their legal…
Lloyd’s of London Settles Class Action Lawsuit
Lloyd’s of London Settles Class Action Lawsuit
Hurricane Irene Could Cost Insurers Billions, And Bump Up Your Premium
Hurricane Irene Could Cost Insurers Billions, And Bump Up Your Premium

On the heels of an earthquake felt from New England to the Carolina, the East Coast is bracing for Hurricane Irene, which could be a major Category 4 storm with winds upwards of 130 mph. That could mean billions of dollars in property damage that…
Does a special academic degree or professional designation make your insurance agent smarter?
Does a special academic degree or professional designation make your insurance agent smarter?

Electricians, cosmetologists and real estate agents all need to complete months of training and exams before becoming certified in their career fields. Surprisingly, insurance agents can become certified to sell policies after just 40 hours of training. As a result, some insurance professionals may not…
Unusual Earthquakes Leave Many Wondering: Is My Home Covered?
Unusual Earthquakes Leave Many Wondering: Is My Home Covered?

Debbie Saathoff, 62, of Bowie, Md., says she heard a giant cracking sound first. Then the pictures flew off the walls and vases on shelves came tumbling down and smashed as her home moved back and forth. “It was the scariest thing I have been…
Fourmile Canyon Fire firefighter/victim hits roadblock to rebuilding
Fourmile Canyon Fire firefighter/victim hits roadblock to rebuilding

BOULDER COUNTY – On Labor Day morning almost a year ago, Bruce Honeyman was simply reading the paper. About 10 that morning, Honeyman, the chief of the Sunshine Fire Protection District got a call for mutual aid. “[I] came around the corner and saw that…
Policyholder complaints after tornadoes show discontent with delays, disputes over damage
Policyholder complaints after tornadoes show discontent with delays, disputes over damage

MOBILE, Alabama — Larry Kidd was getting a little frustrated. His neighbors in Santuck were already making repairs after a tornado hit the Elmore County hamlet on April 27. Kidd was still haggling with Allstate Corp. over how much money he would get to fix…
State Officials Unveil New Insurance Regulations
State Officials Unveil New Insurance Regulations

Regulations Would Require Companies To Reveal Costs To Replace Homes After Disaster SAN DIEGO — Despite a lawsuit trying to stop it, state Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones implemented new regulations requiring insurance companies to reveal the true and complete costs to homeowner who want to…
Mason City restaurant owners seek ‘bad faith’ damages in lawsuit
Mason City restaurant owners seek ‘bad faith’ damages in lawsuit

MASON CITY – The owners of a Mexican restaurant destroyed in a fire in 2007 who were awarded $236,901 in breach of contract damages from their insurance company by a Cerro Gordo County jury earlier this year are now suing the company for bad faith…
Insurance Commissioner: Time to prepare for wildfires
Insurance Commissioner: Time to prepare for wildfires

With the advent of fire season, California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones visited Rancho Bernardo Thursday to remind locals that they should prepare a home inventory list now. The list, along with doing an annual update of property insurance policies to reflect current rebuilding prices and…
Alabama insurance struggles: Disputes from tornadoes begin to gain traction
Alabama insurance struggles: Disputes from tornadoes begin to gain traction

Across tornado-affected areas of Alabama, thousands of property owners are grappling with insurers about how much money they are owed to rebuild. Already, nearly 500 people have contacted the state Insurance Department. State regulators now expect around 90,000 claims because of April’s storms, and even…
Home replacement costs at center of California insurance dispute
Home replacement costs at center of California insurance dispute

In a move to prevent homeowners from being underinsured after disasters, the California insurance commissioner has imposed new regulations for estimating a home’s replacement value for insurance purposes. Some insurers have sued in response, saying the regulations overstep the commissioner’s legal boundaries and could harm…
Insurance Commissioner Jones Announces New Regulations to Protect Homeowners From Being Underinsured
Insurance Commissioner Jones Announces New Regulations to Protect Homeowners From Being Underinsured

Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones, joined by Amy Bach, Executive Director of United Policyholders, announced today a series of new homeowners regulations aimed at enhancing the standards and training for estimating the replacement value on homeowners’ insurance in the event of a disaster. These new regulations…
Want to sue your insurance company? Here’s what will happen
Want to sue your insurance company? Here’s what will happen

If you’re angry enough to consider filing a lawsuit against your insurance company, make sure you do so only as a last resort, after all negotiations have failed. If there is an acceptable alternative, a courtroom is the last place you want to be. Peter…