Want to fire your insurance agent? Here’s how
Want to fire your insurance agent? Here’s how

Is it time to fire your insurance agent or broker? “If they’re not serving you, helping you and giving you good guidance, you should break up with them,” says Amy Bach, executive director of United Policyholders, a San Francisco-based insurance consumer advocacy group. But while…
Catastrophe insurance
Catastrophe insurance

Protections are available for local consumers in wake of floods, fires One draw of Colorado living, some would say, is the endless variety. The suburbs, the city, the country, the mountains and the plains; living here means there’s something for nearly everybody. But living in…
Pay fees to help insure workers? ‘OK,’ say most
Pay fees to help insure workers? ‘OK,’ say most

Highlights: 51 percent of Americans ages 50-64 want to see the law kept in place, compared to just 41 percent of younger adults. 78 percent of Republicans say the law should be repealed, versus just 14 percent of Democrats and 52 percent of those who…
The money doesn’t pour in for Manitou business owners seeking insurance payouts
The money doesn’t pour in for Manitou business owners seeking insurance payouts

Though the mud and debris from last summer’s floods was long ago cleared from the streets of Manitou Springs, business owners say they’ve been left with a financial mess instead. Just ask Chuck Murphy, owner of the Spa Building, best known as the home of…
Black Forest Residents Still Healing, Rebuilding
Black Forest Residents Still Healing, Rebuilding

Ten months after the most destructive wildfire in state history, residents of Black Forest have made significant headway in the rebuilding process. Today, areas where charred remains once stood are now dozens of brand new homes at various stages of construction. One hundred and forty-two…
Calling your health insurer? Prepare to hold
Calling your health insurer? Prepare to hold

“All of our representatives are currently assisting other callers. Please remain on the line and the next available representative will assist you.” When Liz Scherer tried to confirm her enrollment in a new health insurance plan after her old policy was canceled under the Affordable…
Roadmap to Recovery Workshop in Colorado Springs
Roadmap to Recovery Workshop in Colorado Springs

The United Policyholders, a nonprofit consumer group, will hold another of its “Roadmap to Recovery” workshops Thursday to help those who lost property in the Black Forest and Waldo Canyon fires and 2013 floods. The free workshop, scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday at the Woodmen…
3 Tax Prep Tips for Natural Disasters
3 Tax Prep Tips for Natural Disasters

Were you the victim of a tornado, flood, fire, hurricane or other natural disaster last year? According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, there were 62 declared disasters across the U.S. last year. Aside from direct relief from Uncle Sam usually via FEMA), there are…
ConsumerWatch: Is Earthquake Insurance Worth It?
ConsumerWatch: Is Earthquake Insurance Worth It?

Despite the risk of earthquakes, an estimated 10 percent of California homeowners have earthquake insurance. KPIX 5 ConsumerWatch asks if the state’s earthquake insurance fund is healthy. Julie Watts reports.
How mortgage servicers are strong-arming the victims of the Moore, Oklahoma tornado among others)
How mortgage servicers are strong-arming the victims of the Moore, Oklahoma tornado among others)

Unnatural Disaster: How mortgage servicers are strong-arming the victims of the Moore, Oklahoma tornado among others) On May 20, a massive EF5 tornado whipped through heavily populated Moore, Oklahoma, killing 24 and injuring nearly 400. That tragedy has now shifted into the drudgery of recovery.…
Short-changed by insurance, Sandy victims fight back
Short-changed by insurance, Sandy victims fight back

ASBURY PARK, N.J. — Since they bought their oceanfront home in Point Pleasant Beach, N.J., 12 years ago, Carla and Vincent Vitale have spent almost $100,000 on insurance premiums. So when flood waters from Superstorm Sandy damaged the heating and electrical systems, they weren’t worried.…
Underpayment on FEMA flood insurance after Superstorm Sandy
Underpayment on FEMA flood insurance after Superstorm Sandy
Fire victims battle with insurance companies
Fire victims battle with insurance companies

Nine months after the Black Forest fire, property owners are still fighting with insurance companies to pay for damages. To help fire victims file claims and handle disputes, United Policyholders hosted a “Roadmap to Recovery” meeting at Woodmen Valley Chapel in El Paso County Thursday…
How even good credit can be used against you
How even good credit can be used against you

ORLANDO, Fla. — Could a small change in your credit report trigger a big increase in your car insurance bill? An Orlando man claims he has a great credit score but when he had a minor change his premium jumped by nearly $1,000 a year.…
Flood Ebbs, Insurance Woes Don’t
Flood Ebbs, Insurance Woes Don’t

The mayor of Hoboken, N.J., isn’t the only one complaining that her Hurricane Sandy relief money has been held hostage. Some homeowners whose properties were damaged by the storm would say the same about their flood insurance carriers: More than a year after the hurricane…
How Much Health Insurance Should You Have?
How Much Health Insurance Should You Have?

The short answer: enough to help you and your family weather an unexpected illness or injury and/or manage chronic health conditions without undue financial hemorrhaging. “You know you’ll likely need something, even if you’re a totally healthy person,” says Amy Bach, executive director of United…
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…