10 tips for filing an insurance claim effectively
10 tips for filing an insurance claim effectively

As Hurricane Irene approached last week, several groups released tips on how to file claims effectively. The Consumer Federation of America, a consortium of more than 300 consumer interest groups and United Policyholders, a non-profit in San Francisco, Calif. funded by the Rockefeller Foundation and…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Low-cost car insurance proposed in Michigan
Low-cost car insurance proposed in Michigan

Not being able to afford car insurance so you can legally drive to job interviews is a burden for unemployed residents of most states. And without a job, it’s hard to come up with the money for car insurance. In Michigan, state Sen. Virgil Smith…
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…
Baria joins board of consumer group
Baria joins board of consumer group

State Sen. David Baria has become the first Gulf Coast representative on the board of United Policyholders, a group that helps consumers nationwide with insurance issues. Baria’s experience as an attorney, policymaker and Hurricane Katrina survivor who lost his Bay St. Louis home will all…
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…
California Trade Groups File Suit to Stop ‘Replacement’ Regulation
California Trade Groups File Suit to Stop ‘Replacement’ Regulation

Two California trade associations have filed court documents in an attempt to stop one aspect of regulations that were implemented June 27 by Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones. The Association of California Insurance Companies ACIC) and the Personal Insurance Federation of California PIFC) say in a…
Vanishing Act: Your Home Insurance Coverage is Disappearing
Vanishing Act: Your Home Insurance Coverage is Disappearing

There’s a disturbing nationwide trend of insurance companies chipping away at coverage for homeowners, says Amy Bach, executive director of the nonprofit United Policyholders consumer group. She says she’s disturbed by what she sees as policies becoming less adequate. “We have been working on a…
Catastrophe reveals insurance woes for homeowners
Catastrophe reveals insurance woes for homeowners

SAN BRUNO, Calif. KGO) — Most homeowners have insurance, but few ever find out if their coverage is adequate until disaster strikes. The San Bruno pipeline explosion is one example of a major catastrophe putting home owner’s insurance to the test. Tammy Zapata is a…