How to Do a “Needs Analysis” Before you Buy Life Insurance
How to Do a “Needs Analysis” Before you Buy Life Insurance

When buying life insurance, don’t choose a policy before you understand the financial needs of your beneficiaries. Damon Bates, a vice president at Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co., says most people’s thinking is backwards when it comes to life insurance. They decide on the product…
David Baria celebrates victory after grueling campaign season
David Baria celebrates victory after grueling campaign season

I am happy to be a resident of one of the best communities in the entire world,” a jubilant David Baria said last night at his victory party at Bay St. Louis’ 100 Men Hall after his successful bid to succeed long-time state legislator J.P.…
A Home-Insurance Trap?
A Home-Insurance Trap?

Home-insurance policies are pretty much the same, and carriers compete on the basis of price and service—right? Believe those two myths and you might wind up paying dearly. Homeowner policies have important differences that can affect whether claims are paid, according to a study scheduled…
Understanding endorsements and riders for home insurance policies
Understanding endorsements and riders for home insurance policies

In the insurance world, endorsements have nothing to do with celebrities promoting products, and riders have nothing to do with cowboys. “Endorsement” and “rider” are two interchangeable — and often misunderstood — terms referring to additions to a home insurance policy that alter the policy’s…
Workshops help Boulder County homeowners find out if they’re underinsured
Workshops help Boulder County homeowners find out if they’re underinsured

Once the last embers of the Fourmile Fire were extinguished, the owners of the 169 burned homes were left with another challenge — wrangling with their insurance companies. The results of their efforts may serve as a cautionary tale to other homeowners in Boulder County…
The Toll of the Tea Fire: Three years later, community struggles to rebuild
The Toll of the Tea Fire: Three years later, community struggles to rebuild

On November 13, 2008, a firestorm roared across the flanks of the Santa Ynez Mountains and changed many lives in Montecito forever. Lance and Carla Hoffman were enjoying an afternoon together when the fire, still in its infancy, suddenly flared up and over a hillside.…
Major Improvements Coming to Crestmoor Neighborhood
Major Improvements Coming to Crestmoor Neighborhood

The city is set to begin the next improvements to the Crestmoor neighborhood as part of the effort to rebuild the area damaged by the Sept. 9, 2010, PG&E pipeline explosion. Some of the rebuilding work has already taken place to bring the neighborhood some…
Sharp Disagreement At NAIC Session On Readability Of Consumer Information
Sharp Disagreement At NAIC Session On Readability Of Consumer Information

Industry representatives sharply disagreed with two law professors who argued personal lines policies should be posted online where they would be readily available to consumers who wanted to look at them prior to signing onto them. Spokesmen for the American Insurance Association and the National…
The cost of peace of mind
The cost of peace of mind

Local couple fight for their long-term-care insurance. Edwin Goldstein who has been with his long-term-care insurer since 1993 is being asked to reapply because of an alleged missed payment. Goldstein has turned to attorneys, his congressman, and state officials for help. At 83, and eight…
20 years after Oakland firestorm, insurance snags remain
20 years after Oakland firestorm, insurance snags remain

Reporting from Oakland— For months after the 1991 Oakland hills fire reduced his home to a charred heap, Howard Matis would return from work, then close his eyes and imagine the contents of every drawer, shelf, cupboard and closet of his two-story bungalow. His was…
California Earthquake Authority CEO Praises Bipartisan Effort to Help Reduce Costs of Disaster Recovery
California Earthquake Authority CEO Praises Bipartisan Effort to Help Reduce Costs of Disaster Recovery

The California Earthquake Authority applauds California’s U.S. Rep. John Campbell R-48), who today introduced H.R.3125 – companion legislation to S.637 introduced by U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein earlier this year. Both bills would strengthen the nation’s natural disaster recovery system by enacting the Earthquake Insurance Affordability…
Does bundling your insurance policies really save you money?
Does bundling your insurance policies really save you money?

When you buy an insurance policy of any sort — be it home, auto, renter’s or another type of insurance — your agent typically will ask whether you want to purchase other insurance products from the same company. This tactic, known as bundling, is smart…
Is quake insurance worth it with little equity?
Is quake insurance worth it with little equity?

Q: Reader Clare S. of El Cerrito asks: “Are there any advantages to carrying earthquake insurance if we have little equity in our home?” A: Doug Heller, executive director of Consumer Watchdog, says earthquake insurance protects three things: your equity, the structure itself and your…
Denied! 6 Foolish Moves That destroy a Car Insurance Claim
Denied! 6 Foolish Moves That destroy a Car Insurance Claim

When you purchase car insurance, you hope your claims will be paid. But in many situations, your insurer can deny your claim because of things you’ve done. Negligence, criminal activity or simple forgetfulness all can cost you. Here are six things you may do that…
Oakland hills fire: homeowners in high-risk areas must make sure they have adequate coverage
Oakland hills fire: homeowners in high-risk areas must make sure they have adequate coverage

For months after the 1991 Oakland hills fire reduced his home on Sherwick Drive to a charred heap, Howard Matis would return from work, then close his eyes and imagine the contents of every drawer, shelf, cupboard and closet of his two-story bungalow. But how…
San Bruno fire victims struggle with insurance companies
San Bruno fire victims struggle with insurance companies

SAN BRUNO, Calif. KGO) — More than a year after the San Bruno pipeline explosion, recovering and rebuilding is slow-going. Homeowners are having a hard time getting what they need from their insurance companies. The intersection where a PG&E pipeline exploded over a year ago…
ConsumerWatch: Does Your Insurance Policy Protect?
ConsumerWatch: Does Your Insurance Policy Protect?

The next day, a larger storm came. Water came through sewers and manhole covers to flood the streets, turning Capitola into a lake. Home to many mom and pop shops already struggling to survive, dealing with the aftermath may have been even tougher than the…
Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones Marks 20th Anniversary of Berkeley, Oakland Firestorm
Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones Marks 20th Anniversary of Berkeley, Oakland Firestorm

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Oct. 19 — The California Department of Insurance issued the following news release: Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones, joined by Assemblymember Nancy Skinner D-Berkeley) and Oakland Mayor Jean Quan will mark the 20th anniversary of the Berkeley, Oakland Firestorm and the 20th year of…