Income tax tips workshop for Butte Fire survivors
Income tax tips workshop for Butte Fire survivors

United Policyholders, a San Francisco-based nonprofit agency that assists insurance holders after disasters, will host a workshop offering tax tips for Butte Fire victims at 6 p.m. Friday in the Mountain Ranch Community Club, 8049 Washington St., Mountain Ranch. United Policyholders Executive Director Amy Bach…
Flooded by winter storm? 5 steps you must take
Flooded by winter storm? 5 steps you must take

Many Jersey Shore residents had to mop up from flooding after the weekend blizzard — despite what Gov. Chris Christie initially said — and experts offer these five tips to residents and business owners looking to maximize their flood insurance claims. There was nearly $3…
For Blizzard Damage, Turn to Your Homeowner’s Policy
For Blizzard Damage, Turn to Your Homeowner’s Policy

Atlantic Coast residents digging out from last weekend’s blizzard may be relieved to know that a standard homeowner’s insurance policy covers most types of damage caused by winter storms. “We pay for most things that are the result of a snowstorm,” said Don Griffin, vice…
35 Insurance Consumer Representatives Named as NAIC Liaisons
35 Insurance Consumer Representatives Named as NAIC Liaisons

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners NAIC) recently named 35 consumer liaison representatives for 2016. The 20 funded and 15 unfunded consumer representatives began their terms Jan. 1, 2016. Funded representatives receive travel expense reimbursement from the NAIC; unfunded representatives pay their own expenses. Established…
Expert says Butte Fire homeowners should take time on insurance claims
Expert says Butte Fire homeowners should take time on insurance claims

An expert on wildfire insurance claims Wednesday night told a small group of property owners who lost buildings in the Butte Fire not to be in a hurry to settle with their insurance carriers. “Statistics show that the longer your claim remains open, the more…
Ready for El Niño? Here’s what many homeowners don’t know about flood insurance
Ready for El Niño? Here’s what many homeowners don’t know about flood insurance

LA Times – For the last several months, officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency have sounded a lot more like salesmen than bureaucrats. And their sales pitch for flood insurance — which harps on the dangers of El Niño while espousing the benefits of…
Earthquake authority offers new insurance options, rebates
Earthquake authority offers new insurance options, rebates

The California Earthquake Authority is offering new insurance policy options this year, including deductibles ranging from 5 to 25 percent, higher coverage limits for personal property and additional living expenses, and a bigger discount for homeowners who submit verified proof of retrofitting. Starting Jan. 20,…
Flood Insurance During An El Niño Winter
Flood Insurance During An El Niño Winter

A series of El Niño-generated storms are forecast to hit California through the winter months, and that has a lot of people worried about possible flooding and getting flood insurance coverage. KCRW’s Saul Gonzalez talks to insurance expert Amy Bach about what you need to…
Preparing for El Niño
Preparing for El Niño

Amy Bach answers questions about how to prepare your home for El Niño and what you need to know about flood insurance. Here is your El Niño preparedness list: Think about the conditions around your home. Are there large trees? Is there a slope or…
Traveling? Take 6 health insurance steps first
Traveling? Take 6 health insurance steps first

With luck, your trip will bring only good times, but it pays to be prepared for an unexpected health crisis away from home. If you get into a car accident or slip on ice, will insurance cover your care? Your health insurance plan should cover…
Flood insurance program could be under water without Florida policies
Flood insurance program could be under water without Florida policies

The National Flood Insurance Program was in debt. Lots-of-zeroes kind of debt. So someone came up with the bright idea to raise flood insurance rates to more profitable levels. How were those levels determined? Well, explanations were kinda vague. All we knew was that some…
8 Ways to Help after a House Fire
8 Ways to Help after a House Fire

Here are the top items survivors may need for health, safety and comfort A family whose home goes up in flames may lose everything — but simple items from friends, neighbors and relatives can help them make it safely and comfortably through the next days,…
Thousands of homes damaged by Sandy remain uninsured
Thousands of homes damaged by Sandy remain uninsured

Thousands of Long Island homes damaged by superstorm Sandy are still not covered by flood insurance, leaving much of the region dependent on government aid if another catastrophe hits, a Newsday analysis of federal data has found. Since the 2012 storm, the number of properties…
Don’t Make These Mistakes When Filing an Insurance Claim
Don’t Make These Mistakes When Filing an Insurance Claim

The biggest insurance mistake you can make is not having insurance. That sounds like an advertisement for an insurance company, but generally, it’s true. If you’re driving without car insurance, you’re breaking the law. If you don’t have health insurance, you’ll likely pay a fee…
Unscrupulous Insurers Are Stalling Sandy Recovery
Unscrupulous Insurers Are Stalling Sandy Recovery

Three years ago, New York City was devastated by Superstorm Sandy. While we are making progress in the post-Sandy rebuild and recovery, too many New Yorkers are still fighting with their insurance companies about what type of damage is covered. And many have simply given…
If you don’t have to buy flood insurance, should you?
If you don’t have to buy flood insurance, should you?

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is encouraging Californians to buy flood insurance before El Niño hits, even if they live in low- to moderate-risk areas where it’s not required by lenders. “If there was ever a time to buy flood insurance, this is the time,”…
Treasury Names 12 to Federal Insurance Advisory Committee
Treasury Names 12 to Federal Insurance Advisory Committee

The U.S. Department of the Treasury has named 12 individuals including several insurance industry executives, a professor, a consumer advocate and six state regulators to serve on the Federal Advisory Committee on Insurance FACI). The FACI was established to provide a source for consumers and…
Host of factors contributed to Hurricane Sandy claims fallout
Host of factors contributed to Hurricane Sandy claims fallout

The lawsuit and judge’s remarks made the headlines, but a deeper investigation into the issues involved in many Hurricane Sandy claims finds that while there may have been underpaid claims, a host of factors contributed to the underpayments. “Many homes were damaged by Sandy and…