December 7, 2025 What’s UP With Water (or Service) Line Insurance? As a homeowner, you’re responsible for the pipes that connect your water and sewer lines to the main public water delivery system in your area. If those pipes corrode, leak or fail due to age or wear and tear, your home insurance likely will not…
November 4, 2025 Work to reduce fire insurance costs ongoing, advocates say Fire insurance is a huge pain point for foothills residents, who love their quiet mountain homes but are struggling with the cost to protect them from one of the area’s greatest threats. That frustration was evident among the nearly 200 people who came to Conifer…
November 1, 2025 BUT IT’S NOT FAIR! California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara wants to get you off the FAIR plan as soon as possible. His goal is to bring traditional fire insurance companies back to the California market, making these plans affordable and accessible, he said in an online public town hall…
October 31, 2025 As disaster losses mount, US insurers continue betting on adaptation A landmark Californian bill that could have shifted some wildfire costs on to oil and gas producers was quietly killed in committee Californian governor Gavin Newsom this month signed a package of bills to help with wildfire recovery and prevention in the wake of the…
October 30, 2025 These Oakland condos are a dream, but the insurance is a nightmare When a home abruptly loses hundreds of thousands of dollars of value in the supply-constrained Bay Area, the immediate suspicion is that it has some serious defects. But in the case of the Parkwoods condo complex, there isn’t anything structurally wrong. The 400-unit community in…
October 29, 2025 Where We Stand: A Homeowners Insurance Bill of Rights The increasing frequency of extreme weather events, combined with the rising cost of repairs and building materials, has destabilized the home insurance market. Homeowners increasingly face skyrocketing premium prices, and many are losing coverage as insurance companies pull out of regional markets altogether. At the…
October 23, 2025 Homeowners Are Facing an Insurance Crisis. CR Thinks These 9 Basic Rights Could Help. Consumer advocates propose a bill of rights. Plus, expert tips on how to protect yourself and your home in the meantime. Melissa Hudson says she was stunned last year when the insurance premiums on her home in Port Orchard, Wash., shot up 40 percent—even though…
October 21, 2025 Where We Stand: A Homeowners Insurance Bill of Rights The increasing frequency of extreme weather events, combined with the rising cost of repairs and building materials, has destabilized the home insurance market. Homeowners increasingly face skyrocketing premium prices, and many are losing coverage as insurance companies pull out of regional markets altogether. At the…
October 19, 2025 New California laws aim to stabilize state’s wildfire insurance market The recent rains may have lowered the threat of wildfire in the area, but the problem of maintaining fire insurance is a year-round problem for many in California. As a result, a number of new laws have just been adopted that aim to stabilize the…
October 16, 2025 US insurers using drones to inspect homes without owners knowing — even canceling polices. What can you do? Your homeowners’ insurance is just that — your peace of mind should something go catastrophically wrong at home. It’s typically not something you expect to be hassled with, nor do you wish to be threatened with policy cancellation over trivial matters. So when a Massachusetts…
October 16, 2025 For private flood insurance companies, the government shutdown is good for business Among those feeling the pain of the government shutdown are people in coastal areas and other locations where they need flood insurance. The government-backed National Flood Insurance Program stopped writing new policies on Oct. 1 and can’t resume until it’s reauthorized by Congress. That may…
October 15, 2025 Policyholder’s Notice Of Claim Does Not Satisfy Notice Requirement For Other Insureds The United States District Court for the Central District of California, applying California law, has held that coverage was barred for insureds who did not give timely notice, despite timely notice by the policyholder. Evanston Ins. Co. v. Frederick, 2025 WL 2019379 (C.D. Cal., June…
October 15, 2025 Millions of Americans risk their health and -2- “My dad’s sleeping under a dining table because there’s no space,” he said. “My mom had bladder surgery at the end of April and [in] early May had to recover from bladder surgery while basically being homeless.” Comey’s experience is a stark illustration of what…
October 10, 2025 Wildfire safety leads Commissioner Lara’s agenda as Governor Newsom signs sponsored bills Putting money in people’s pockets, strengthening incentives, and introducing the nation’s first public wildfire model SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara announced new wildfire safety protections for California consumers as Governor Gavin Newsom signed three critical bills aimed at enhancing mitigation efforts, reducing risk,…
October 7, 2025 Colorado Roadmap to Preparedness UPdate We have been hard at work this year helping Colorado residents be adequately insured and wildfire prepared through our Roadmap to Preparedness program. Our most recent Colorado Shopping Help Webinar (watchable online) features up to date guidance from a panel of experts including the CO Division of Insurance,…
October 6, 2025 There’s Help for Dealing with Insurance United Policyholders is a nonprofit organization that works for consumers with insurance problems/matters. The nonprofit does not take money from insurance companies, and they don’t sell insurance. Volunteers at United Policy have been through the insurance recovery process before and are strictly here to offer…
October 1, 2025 Marshall Fire Impact Report We are proud to share our Marshall Fire Impact Report. While there is no “end” to a recovery, there are many tangible signs that point to a healthy recovery in the greater Boulder area and UP is proud of our contribution to the process that…
September 30, 2025 Protecting Your Home As we wrap up National Preparedness Month, take a moment to prepare for what happens after a disaster. With insurance premiums rising to all-time highs, and coverage disputes in the news, many people are questioning whether it’s worth buying. But here’s a reality check from the Los Angeles wildfires…