California fires intensify scrutiny on strained home insurance market
California fires intensify scrutiny on strained home insurance market

The fires raging in the Los Angeles area have many people asking what impact it could have on California’s home insurance market. That’s because – in recent years – most of the state’s biggest property insurers have paused or limited business in California, citing the…
Got insurance? Tips for homeowners affected by Southern California wildfires
Got insurance? Tips for homeowners affected by Southern California wildfires

At least six wildfires (Palisades, Eaton, Hurst, Lidia, Sunset, and Woodley) have forced California residents to flee from their homes, resulting in death, injuries, and property destruction. Officials and consumer advocates offer advice for residents with insurance questions and related issues in the aftermath of…
Los Angeles wildfires could make insurance crisis worse
Los Angeles wildfires could make insurance crisis worse

The recent wildfires in Los Angeles could become the most expensive series of wildfires in California’s history, not due to the number of homes lost, but because of the high value of the properties affected, experts say. AccuWeather released a preliminary estimate this week, putting…
What California homeowners should know about filing an insurance claim for fire damage
What California homeowners should know about filing an insurance claim for fire damage

As deadly wildfires engulf swaths of Los Angeles County, forcing nearly 200,000 people from their houses, a still-to-be known number of residents will be contending with insurance claims to recoup losses and rebuild or repair their homes. For those looking to be treated fairly and…
California overhauled its insurance system. Then Los Angeles caught fire.
California overhauled its insurance system. Then Los Angeles caught fire.

On Tuesday, after a ferocious Santa Ana windstorm blew through Southern California, a severe brush fire broke out in the wealthy Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, burning at least 1,000 structures and forcing hundreds of thousands of residents to evacuate as of Thursday morning.…
Los Angeles Fires Burn Down Thousands Of Homes: Here Is How You Can Claim Insurance
Los Angeles Fires Burn Down Thousands Of Homes: Here Is How You Can Claim Insurance

Multiple wildfires have been ravaging Los Angeles County since Tuesday, resulting in at least five deaths and thousands of residents being displaced. Authorities called for more mass evacuations on Wednesday after hundreds of structures were destroyed. Now, locals are seeking insurance for their property loss.…
Tools for recovering insurance after wildfires
Tools for recovering insurance after wildfires

Amy Bach, executive director of the nonprofit United Policyholders, joined us to discuss how she and her team provide tools and resources for navigating insurance after disasters, such as devastating wildfires. For more information, visit UPHelp.org. This segment aired on the KTLA 5 Morning News…
California overhauled its insurance system. Then Los Angeles caught fire.
California overhauled its insurance system. Then Los Angeles caught fire.

On Tuesday, after a ferocious Santa Ana windstorm blew through Southern California, a severe brush fire broke out in the wealthy Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, burning at least 1,000 structures and forcing hundreds of thousands of residents to evacuate as of Thursday morning.…
Insurance claim tips for homeowners affected by Southern California wildfires
Insurance claim tips for homeowners affected by Southern California wildfires

Multiple wildfires have been sweeping across Los Angeles County since Tuesday, killing at least five and pushing thousands out of their homes. The total damage is not yet known; the fires were 0% contained as of Wednesday. For the owners of the 1,000-plus structures destroyed…
Palisades Fire: Wildfire Evacuation Tips
Palisades Fire: Wildfire Evacuation Tips

We are keeping an eye on the Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire.  Our hearts are with everyone affected by the wildfires in Los Angeles. If told to evacuate due to the wildfire, do so immediately. If you are preparing to evacuate, here are our home…
Frustrated About Insurance Denials? You’re Not Alone.
Frustrated About Insurance Denials? You’re Not Alone.

My book “Delay, Deny, Defend: Why Insurance Companies Don’t Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It” was thrust into the spotlight recently after UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was killed last month in what authorities say was a targeted attack. Investigators at the scene…
California finalized its plan to ease home insurance crisis. Here’s what it means for rates
California finalized its plan to ease home insurance crisis. Here’s what it means for rates

When a major wildfire hits, insurance companies call on insurance of their own — and starting next year, they’ll be able to charge consumers for part of the millions of dollars they spend on it. Insurance companies purchase reinsurance for the same reasons homeowners purchase…
Liberty Mutual exiting condo, rental insurance market
Liberty Mutual exiting condo, rental insurance market

Liberty Mutual plans to stop offering condo and rental insurance policies in California over the next two years. One of the state’s largest insurers made three filings indicating the withdrawal of business in this category of coverage, the California Department of Insurance reported Dec. 20.…
Liberty Mutual company Safeco drops condo coverage and renters insurance
Liberty Mutual company Safeco drops condo coverage and renters insurance

Another major insurance company is trimming its risk by refusing to sell more insurance to multifamily developments. The insurance commissioner promised a more stable and affordable market, but what we have right now are cross currents, contradictions, and chaos. Safeco is a branch of Liberty…
Policyholders See Notable But Limited Win In NC Virus Suit
Policyholders See Notable But Limited Win In NC Virus Suit

North Carolina’s top court handed policyholders a rare victory last week in finding that the “direct physical loss” requirement for “all-risk” insurance can cover losses connected to the coronavirus pandemic, but… Read more
Why California Insurers Are Being Forced Back Into Wildfire Zones
Why California Insurers Are Being Forced Back Into Wildfire Zones

California Introduces New Rules to Boost Wildfire Coverage in At-Risk Areas California has long struggled with providing adequate home insurance to residents living in wildfire-prone regions. After devastating fires in recent years and increasing climate risks, a new set of regulations aims to stabilize the…
Insuring your home has never been harder. Here’s how to do it.
Insuring your home has never been harder. Here’s how to do it.

Christina Temple moved to Truckee, California, to buy her first home. The small mountain town, a short drive from Lake Tahoe, offered the former preschool teacher and her husband, a carpenter, a shot at becoming middle class by escaping crushing housing costs near Santa Cruz,…
Policyholders Win a Covid Case! North Carolina Supreme Court Rules Government Closure Order Can Result In “Direct Physical Damage”
Policyholders Win a Covid Case! North Carolina Supreme Court Rules Government Closure Order Can Result In “Direct Physical Damage”

I have a vision of Amy Bach, the Executive Director of United Policyholders, jumping for joy as she read the North Carolina Supreme Court opinion, which the insurance industry must think of as a Friday the 13th ruling. The court noted its conclusion early in the opinion: Because…