Battle over smoke-damaged homes from LA County wildfires could reshape fire insurance
Battle over smoke-damaged homes from LA County wildfires could reshape fire insurance

The outcome could have ramifications nationwide and either open the door to billions in additional claims or slam the door shut for homeowners. Read more.
The Home-Insurance Coin Flip: Nearly Half of Claims Result in Zero Payout
The Home-Insurance Coin Flip: Nearly Half of Claims Result in Zero Payout

When disaster strikes, many Americans face a near flip-of-the-coin chance that their home insurer will pay a claim. And the problem is getting worse. The five biggest home-insurers as a group didn’t pay out on more than 44% of claims resolved last year, forcing homeowners…
Insurance Commissioner candidates stump for votes at the beach
Insurance Commissioner candidates stump for votes at the beach

As wildfire recovery continues across communities including Pacific Palisades, Malibu and Altadena, the race for California Insurance Commissioner has evolved beyond discussions of premiums and policies into something much larger; a debate over who gets rebuilt, how quickly communities recover and whether California’s insurance system…
42% of homeowners say insurance costs have gone up ‘a lot,’ survey finds. Here’s why
42% of homeowners say insurance costs have gone up ‘a lot,’ survey finds. Here’s why

Homeowners insurance costs have been rising fast in the U.S. — and policyholders are taking notice. About 71% of homeowners said the cost of their homeowners insurance has increased over the past few years, with 42% saying costs have gone up “a lot,” according to…
U.S. homeowners insurance costs keep rising as climate and inflation pressures build
U.S. homeowners insurance costs keep rising as climate and inflation pressures build

Homeowners across the U.S. are facing steeper insurance bills as premiums rise faster than many household budgets can absorb. The increases are widening cost pressures in housing and could affect property values and financial stability as coverage becomes more expensive and, in some areas, harder…
Whistleblower docs show State Farm’s decades-long strategy to deny claims
Whistleblower docs show State Farm’s decades-long strategy to deny claims

As anxious policyholders await a pivotal Oklahoma Supreme Court decision in a bad-faith case involving the now-infamous State Farm documents, additional revealing documents, compiled decades ago by a State Farm whistleblower with Oklahoma roots, have surfaced at the Oklahoma City office of attorney Charles Weddle.…
Firewise leaders push for regional emergency preparedness
Firewise leaders push for regional emergency preparedness

More than 150 wildfire preparedness leaders, residents and fire safety professionals from across Southern California gathered in Calabasas May 9 for a regional Firewise Leader workshop focused on helping neighborhoods better prepare for increasingly severe wildfire seasons. The gathering at the Calabasas Community Center invited…
California FAIR Plan set to increase rates for most policyholders
California FAIR Plan set to increase rates for most policyholders

California’s home insurance plan of last resort is set to increase rates for policyholders later this year. California FAIR Plan announced an average 30% rate increase for policyholders, according to multiple reports. The San Francisco Chronicle reported that rates, which are set to change after…
Oklahoma “Joan of Arc” Waged Prescient State Farm Battle
Oklahoma “Joan of Arc” Waged Prescient State Farm Battle

As anxious policyholders await a pivotal Oklahoma Supreme Court decision in a bad-faith case involving the now-infamous State Farm documents, additional revealing documents, compiled decades ago by a State Farm whistleblower with Oklahoma roots, have surfaced at the Oklahoma City office of attorney Charles Weddle.…
For the 11th straight year, Texas is the hail damage capital of the US
For the 11th straight year, Texas is the hail damage capital of the US

DALLAS — Sometimes, winning can feel a lot like losing. For the 11th year in a row, Texas is the hail capital of the U.S. It wasn’t even close. According to the Insurance Information Institute, there were 902 hail events here with major damage in…
State launches ‘Disaster Recovery Tool,’ more Health Headlines
State launches ‘Disaster Recovery Tool,’ more Health Headlines

A new tool was launched this month to assist Coloradans facing natural disasters: the Colorado Disaster Recovery Navigation Tool. The resource was established under the Governor’s Office of Climate Preparedness and Disaster Recovery, which, a press release from the office said, is one of its…
This S.F. homeowner lost insurance because of a flat roof. Could it happen to you?
This S.F. homeowner lost insurance because of a flat roof. Could it happen to you?

California’s largest insurers cover certain types of roofs and avoid others. Wood-shake roofs and old roofs are also common concerns. Read more
Insurance commissioner candidates float bigger California role
Insurance commissioner candidates float bigger California role

A few of the candidates vying to be California’s next insurance commissioner want to address the insurance crisis by having the state take a bigger financial role. Some of the problems they’re trying to solve include: Not all insurance companies will write new policies in…
Hurricane season insurance tips: What Florida homeowners need to know before storms hit
Hurricane season insurance tips: What Florida homeowners need to know before storms hit

Florida homeowners are grappling with insurance challenges as hurricane season approaches, with experts at this week’s Governor’s Hurricane Conference in West Palm Beach emphasizing the critical importance of understanding coverage before storms strike. Emily Rogan, a consumer advocate with United Policyholders, told conference attendees that…
Policyholders Win In Calif. Water Leak Precedent Ruling
Policyholders Win In Calif. Water Leak Precedent Ruling

Policyholder advocates in California won a significant victory on Thursday when a state appeals court said litigators can cite a recent ruling that could give legal guidance in disputes over whether… Read more
Financial Recovery Strategies for Tornado Survivors in Mississippi
Financial Recovery Strategies for Tornado Survivors in Mississippi

A series of violent tornadoes struck southwest Mississippi on the night of May 6, leaving families in Lincoln County to face the total loss of their residences as the sun rose the following morning Among those impacted were two brothers living in the Wash Trailer…
Two Coasts, Two Wins For Policyholders In Environmental Coverage Disputes
Two Coasts, Two Wins For Policyholders In Environmental Coverage Disputes

Two recent court decisions on opposite coasts have delivered significant victories for policyholders seeking environmental insurance coverage, establishing important precedents for coverage disputes… Read more Two recent federal appellate decisions – one from the Second Circuit, one from the Ninth – will be useful tools…
‘It’s definitely devastating’: Mississippi brothers lost one of their homes to a tornado in minutes — here’s how families can recover financially
‘It’s definitely devastating’: Mississippi brothers lost one of their homes to a tornado in minutes — here’s how families can recover financially

On the night of May 6, a series of powerful tornadoes tore through southwest Mississippi (1). By the time the sun came up, families in Lincoln County were stepping into the rubble of what used to be their homes. Among them were two brothers from…