Thwarting insurers’ campaign to duck interruption compensation obligations to businesses
Thwarting insurers’ campaign to duck interruption compensation obligations to businesses

Fill in the blank and you’ll understand the public relations campaign the insurance industry uses over and over to maintain record profits by shirking obligations to their premium-paying customers and pass the buck to  taxpayers: “If you make us pay ______ claims we’ll go bankrupt.” …
UP shares our story for the 30th Anniversary of the Oakland / Berkeley Firestorm
UP shares our story for the 30th Anniversary of the Oakland / Berkeley Firestorm

United Policyholders was founded in 1991. To commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Oakland Berkeley Firestorm, UP’s Executive Director Amy Bach shared her story co-founding the nonprofit for the North Hills Phoenix Association Community Comeback: Then and Now video series. This video series delved into…
What Consumers Should Do to Get Fair Claims Payments in the Wake of Hurricane Ida
What Consumers Should Do to Get Fair Claims Payments in the Wake of Hurricane Ida

Washington, D.C. — The Consumer Federation of America (CFA) today warned consumers to prepare to file claims for damage resulting from Hurricane Ida and offered tips on “how to get all you are entitled to from your insurance company.” CFA believes that Hurricane Ida will produce…
The shrubs across the street nearly cost him his home insurance
The shrubs across the street nearly cost him his home insurance

It’s not yet common, but in high-risk fire neighborhoods, Berkeley Hills residents may find that keeping their home insurance depends on how well their neighbors prune their property. At the end of August, wildfire prevention advocate Dan Grassetti opened a letter from Allstate, his home’s…
‘Almost everyone is getting screwed’: After climate disasters, homeowners find their battle with insurers is just beginning
‘Almost everyone is getting screwed’: After climate disasters, homeowners find their battle with insurers is just beginning

[Please note the complete article is behind a paywall.]   A grant from the NIHCM Foundation helped fund reporting for this story. Even against the backdrop of the past 18 months, and epic levels of American suffering, John and Jodi Philipp have had a rough…
Some California homeowners in fire-prone areas face steep insurance increase
Some California homeowners in fire-prone areas face steep insurance increase

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — Across the state, homeowners are preparing for what could be another long wildfire season. Last year broke records for fires in the state, with more than four million acres burned, and this year has already seen hundreds more fires than the…
The appeal of COVID-19 business interruption appeals
The appeal of COVID-19 business interruption appeals

July 9, 2021 – More than one year has passed since the start of the COVID-19 global pandemic. According to the Centers for Disease Control, COVID-19 has infected more than 33 million people in the United States and more than 600,000 have died. Also in…
Here’s how California homeowners are trying to save their fire insurance
Here’s how California homeowners are trying to save their fire insurance

With insurers canceling coverage and raising rates, should fire-proofing homes count? Susan Hassett did everything she could to convince the insurance companies her Yolo County ranch could survive a wildfire. After Allstate told the retired firefighter in 2017 that the devastating blazes across the state…
Keeping Score to Avoid Paying More
Keeping Score to Avoid Paying More

Your credit, insurance or risk score may make you “feel like a number”, but that may be more than a feeling.  A low credit score will cause some insurers to offer you inferior coverage at a higher price. Because credit scores are often wrong and…
This One Common Insurance Mistake Could Cost You Thousands, Experts Warn
This One Common Insurance Mistake Could Cost You Thousands, Experts Warn

REMEDY IT IMMEDIATELY TO KEEP THIS COSTLY ERROR FROM DRAINING YOUR BANK ACCOUNT. Across the U.S., there have been snowstorms in May and heatwaves in November, making it clear that the weather is getting harder and harder to plan for. When unpredictable weather strikes, having insurance can help protect…
Restoring the Insurance Safetynet Coalition (RISC), A National Initiative
Restoring the Insurance Safetynet Coalition (RISC), A National Initiative

The Restoring the Insurance Safety Net Coalition (RISC) is a national initiative launched by United Policyholders in 2020.  The purpose of this initiative is to reverse the trend of insurance policy re-writes that are shrinking coverage for damage to homes. These re-writes are dangerously eroding…
With Start of Hurricane Season, It’s Time to Consider Flood Insurance
With Start of Hurricane Season, It’s Time to Consider Flood Insurance

Most policies are issued by the government, which plans to change the way it prices its policies in the fall to better reflect climate risks. This year’s hurricane season began early, with a named storm forming before the official start on June 1, and it is expected…
Bach Talk – Oregon enacts pro-policyholder wildfire claim reforms
Bach Talk – Oregon enacts pro-policyholder wildfire claim reforms

We’re proud to report that UP recently helped enact H.B. 3272, a new Oregon law that will improve the flow of insurance funds for replacing wildfire-destroyed homes and property. UP has long advocated that on total loss claims where the homeowner did nothing to cause…
East Bay Resident Makes Fire Prevention a Passion
East Bay Resident Makes Fire Prevention a Passion

OAKLAND (KPIX) — An Bay Area resident who has been a fire prevention activist since she lost her home in the Oakland Hills firestorm 30 years ago, Sue Piper is passionate about disaster preparedness. The Gateway Preparedness Exhibit Center educates people on how to prepare for wildfires…
Trade Group Backs Legal Sea Foods In Virus Insurance Appeal
Trade Group Backs Legal Sea Foods In Virus Insurance Appeal

Law360 (May 11, 2021, 4:11 PM EDT) — Legal Sea Foods‘ quest to cover losses from the COVID-19 pandemic earned the backing of nonprofit insurance trade group United Policyholders, which told the First Circuit on Monday that a lower court was wrong to dismiss the restaurant…
Hail, Hail Spring is Here
Hail, Hail Spring is Here

With vaccinations, more daylight and warming weather, things are looking UP. In keeping with our mission of helping people be resilient, here’s an important reminder: It’s hail season and climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of hail events. Now is a great time to check…
Butte Strong Fund grants for fire recovery include rebuilding, fire mitigation funding
Butte Strong Fund grants for fire recovery include rebuilding, fire mitigation funding

PARADISE — The Butte Strong Fund approved $250,000 for Habitat for Humanity to buy home lots in Paradise for affordable housing in March. Nine grants approved by the North Valley Community Foundation in the past month total $610,805. The grant to Habitat for Humanity of…
It’s severe weather season in Texas — do you know where your homeowners insurance policy is?
It’s severe weather season in Texas — do you know where your homeowners insurance policy is?

If you tend to stuff your insurance policy away in a drawer or a file and not look at it for a year or more, it could cost you big. DALLAS — Wed., March 24 is an important date if you are eligible for a…