Insurance companies deny COVID-19 claims, but cover vandalism damage
Insurance companies deny COVID-19 claims, but cover vandalism damage

SAN FRANCISCO KGO) — Businesses across the nation have been devastated by the COVID-19 shutdown. Now, many are suffering the added losses of vandalism and looting. But an odd twist to the dual crises: insurance. Businesses were outraged to find their insurance refused to cover…
Does auto insurance cover cars damaged during protests or riots?
Does auto insurance cover cars damaged during protests or riots?

Streets filled with damaged cars are a common sight in the wake of civil unrest and even peaceful mass gatherings. Whether intentionally inflicted or incidental, both parked cars and those driven by passers-by can sustain scratches, broken mirrors, smashed windows, or get covered in paint…
Does auto insurance cover cars damaged in demonstrations?
Does auto insurance cover cars damaged in demonstrations?

SAN JOSE, Calif. KGO) — We’ve seen the videos of cars on fire, and windows smashed. One of the earliest was on the freeway in San Jose last Friday. A couple of drivers, caught behind a blockade, drove away with broken windows. So is anyone…
When To Drop Collision & Comprehensive Insurance
When To Drop Collision & Comprehensive Insurance

If you own a car, you don’t have a choice about buying certain auto insurance coverage types. Depending on your state, you’ll be buying some combination of liability auto insurance, uninsured motorist coverage and/or PIP insurance. Collision insurance pays for damage to your car after…
How to Bundle Renters and Auto Insurance
How to Bundle Renters and Auto Insurance

Bundling is a common way to save money on most types of insurance policies, including renters insurance. When it comes time to renew your renters insurance policy or shop for a new one, it’s worth finding out if you can save money by bundling your…
Insurance Industry Pushes “Wildfire” Legislation to Increase Homeowners Insurance Rates
Insurance Industry Pushes “Wildfire” Legislation to Increase Homeowners Insurance Rates

While the rest of the state is sheltering at home, lobbyists for the insurance industry are busy promoting legislation, scheduled for a hearing tomorrow, that would allow them to boost insurance rates on homeowners and renters. The bill would derail voter-approved protections against insurance price-gouging…
Insurers challenged for denying business-interruption coverage during coronavirus economic lockdown
Insurers challenged for denying business-interruption coverage during coronavirus economic lockdown

In a shot over the bow and precursor of a long, upcoming legal battle, the California insurance commissioner on April 14 issued an order requiring carriers to investigate claims filed by businesses seeking relief for losses incurred from government shutdowns as the result of the…
INTERVIEW: Amy Bach On Insurance Rebates
INTERVIEW: Amy Bach On Insurance Rebates

Daniel Trucios talks to Amy Bach, Executive Director of United Policyholders, about insurance rebates, effectiveness, future charges, good publicity and business interruption insurance.
NJ residents face insurance challenges beyond grace periods during pandemic
NJ residents face insurance challenges beyond grace periods during pandemic

Among the many impacts of the coronavirus are those on insurance. Gov. Phil Murphy last week mandated a 90-day grace period for auto, homeowner’s and renter’s insurance payments and a 60-day grace period for health insurance payments. Murphy’s reprieve, however, doesn’t aid the uninsured and…
Why isn’t car insurance cheaper as we all stay home?
Why isn’t car insurance cheaper as we all stay home?

Chris Norlin, like so many others, is hardly ever behind the wheel these days as he follows guidelines to stay at home and play hide-and-seek with the coronavirus. Which naturally leads him to wonder: Why is he still paying so much for car insurance? His…
Sonoma County businesses with pandemic-related losses hit wall with commercial insurers
Sonoma County businesses with pandemic-related losses hit wall with commercial insurers

In the aftermath of the power shut-offs during the October 2019 wildfire, Berlin Fisher realized he needed to get business interruption insurance coverage for his West County Style Bar in Guerneville because another disaster could put his hair salon on precarious financial footing. Fisher had…
Business interruption insurance falls short in a pandemic
Business interruption insurance falls short in a pandemic

When Salvatore Ferro saw his Commack-based home remodeling business plummet by more than half due to the coronavirus pandemic, he contacted his insurance broker to find out how to make a claim on his business interruption insurance. He was shocked to learn the policy –…
California lawmakers propose wildfire insurance bill to protect homeowners
California lawmakers propose wildfire insurance bill to protect homeowners

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. — A bill introduced into the California Legislature on Tuesday would add protections to some homeowners at risk of nonrenewals. The “Renew California Bill” would require insurance companies to write or renew policies for existing homes in communities that meet state…
Next battle in California with insurers is over home policyholder discounts for cutting fire risks
Next battle in California with insurers is over home policyholder discounts for cutting fire risks

Will Abrams and his family barely escaped from their house in the Riebli-Wallace neighborhood of Santa Rosa as the flames from the 2017 Tubbs fire bore down on their residence. “I had my two) kids under my arms running to our cars and we barely…
California Insurance Commissioner Says Renew California Bill Would Create an Insurance Guarantee to Harden Homes Against Wildfire
California Insurance Commissioner Says Renew California Bill Would Create an Insurance Guarantee to Harden Homes Against Wildfire

Requiring insurance companies to write and renew homeowner insurance policies for hardened homes and communities that meet statewide standard. February 19, 2020 – SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Yesterday, Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez D-San Diego), Assemblywoman Monique Limón D-Santa Barbara), Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, and United Policyholders introduced…
Legislation Designed To Forge Community, Insurance Partnership
Legislation Designed To Forge Community, Insurance Partnership

Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez D-San Diego), Assemblywoman Monique Limón D-Santa Barbara), Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, and United Policyholders on Tuesday introduced legislation to give insurance companies a greater role in protecting communities from devastating wildfires. Renew California AB 2367) would require insurance companies to write or…
What’s a wildfire score? Do you know yours?
What’s a wildfire score? Do you know yours?

SAN FRANCISCO KGO) — Recent firestorms have increased the profile of wildfire modeling companies, firms that rate homes by their likelihood to burn. Most California homes have a wildfire score, but about the only homeowners who know they have one are those who have been…
Renew California’ bill seeks to ease wildfire-fueled homeowners insurance crisis
Renew California’ bill seeks to ease wildfire-fueled homeowners insurance crisis

Insurance companies have been dropping coverage for homeowners living in fire-prone areas, leaving them unprotected at best and unable to keep their homes at worst. SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A wildfire-related crisis facing counties all over the state could have one solution in sight. As the…