Returning residents grapple with overgrown abandoned neighboring properties
Returning residents grapple with overgrown abandoned neighboring properties

Some solutions are emerging, but funds are short PARADISE — Abandoned properties overgrown with flammable vegetation vastly out-number new homes under construction in the burn scar, and there’s little cash-strapped local officials can really do. The fire risk caused by overgrown empty lots is putting…
Wise UP and save on your insurance
Wise UP and save on your insurance

Wise UP and save on your insurance As households across the nation look for ways to cut costs while dealing with record job losses and sheltering in place, UP has suggestions for reducing insurance premiums without sacrificing asset protection. – Consider increasing your auto and…
UP joins the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud
UP joins the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud

United Policyholders is pleased to join the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud.  The Coalition is a unique alliance of stakeholders with a shared objective of combating insurance fraud.  Insurance fraud is committed by people submitting false or inflated claims and insurance company reps that engage in deceptive…
CA high court upholds right to paid-for business insurance protection
CA high court upholds right to paid-for business insurance protection

In a time when U.S. businesses are turning to courts across the U.S. to enforce their rights to insurance protection for COVID-19 losses, the CA Supreme Court delivered them a win this week in a long-simmering, high stakes battle over coverage in a different context…
Tennessee Tornado Insurance Claim and Recovery Help
Tennessee Tornado Insurance Claim and Recovery Help

If your home or business was damaged or destroyed in the recent Nashville area tornadoes, we are here to give you reliable guidance during the recovery process.  UP recommends focusing on photographing and documenting damaged and destroyed property, getting a complete current copy of your…
SIPping lemonade -TCB*
SIPping lemonade -TCB*

We all know the bad news. The good news is you may have time to take care of tasks that have long been pushed to the bottom of your “to do” list. Getting your insurance records in order and inventorying your property are two of…
Business interruption insurance falls short in a pandemic
Business interruption insurance falls short in a pandemic

When Salvatore Ferro saw his Commack-based home remodeling business plummet by more than half due to the coronavirus pandemic, he contacted his insurance broker to find out how to make a claim on his business interruption insurance. He was shocked to learn the policy –…
Can businesses rely on insurance to overcome COVID-19 losses?
Can businesses rely on insurance to overcome COVID-19 losses?

The short answer is, for many it will be a fight. Bottom line:  Don’t take no for an answer until you’ve exhausted all arguments and avenues for help.  And there are many of them. United Policyholders is hard at work curating solid guidance to arm businesses…
#Nashville Strong – Eyes on Roof Repairs
#Nashville Strong – Eyes on Roof Repairs

United Policyholders is providing Roadmap to Recovery services to people and businesses impacted by the recent Nashville Tornadoes.  Thanks to our newest volunteer, Nashville VOAD officer Gary Ward, our Guides are being distributed at official help centers in the region.  Our Roadmap to Recovery help library…
Working to keep the HOME in home insurance
Working to keep the HOME in home insurance

Consumers buy home insurance where legally required AND for the peace of mind of knowing that if adversity strikes, the policy will generate money to deal with whatever that adversity is.  They don’t sit around thinking up doomsday scenarios of every possible event that could damage or…
California Insurance Commissioner Says Renew California Bill Would Create an Insurance Guarantee to Harden Homes Against Wildfire
California Insurance Commissioner Says Renew California Bill Would Create an Insurance Guarantee to Harden Homes Against Wildfire

Requiring insurance companies to write and renew homeowner insurance policies for hardened homes and communities that meet statewide standard. February 19, 2020 – SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Yesterday, Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez D-San Diego), Assemblywoman Monique Limón D-Santa Barbara), Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, and United Policyholders introduced…
Legislation Designed To Forge Community, Insurance Partnership
Legislation Designed To Forge Community, Insurance Partnership

Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez D-San Diego), Assemblywoman Monique Limón D-Santa Barbara), Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, and United Policyholders on Tuesday introduced legislation to give insurance companies a greater role in protecting communities from devastating wildfires. Renew California AB 2367) would require insurance companies to write or…
What’s a wildfire score? Do you know yours?
What’s a wildfire score? Do you know yours?

SAN FRANCISCO KGO) — Recent firestorms have increased the profile of wildfire modeling companies, firms that rate homes by their likelihood to burn. Most California homes have a wildfire score, but about the only homeowners who know they have one are those who have been…
Renew California’ bill seeks to ease wildfire-fueled homeowners insurance crisis
Renew California’ bill seeks to ease wildfire-fueled homeowners insurance crisis

Insurance companies have been dropping coverage for homeowners living in fire-prone areas, leaving them unprotected at best and unable to keep their homes at worst. SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A wildfire-related crisis facing counties all over the state could have one solution in sight. As the…
The cost of fire insurance across California is rising at a frightening pace if you can get it at all
The cost of fire insurance across California is rising at a frightening pace if you can get it at all

Homeowners are finding their insurance premiums outpacing their incomes, if they can find insurance at all. Who is responsible for the crisis? AUBURN, Calif. — A crisis has been building in the foothills of the Sierra and other fire-prone communities in California. It’s related to…
How to Get Your Insurer to Cover Treatment for an Eating Disorder
How to Get Your Insurer to Cover Treatment for an Eating Disorder

If you or a member of your family are suffering from an eating disorder, your insurer may balk at covering treatment by claiming it’s “not medically necessary” or that coverage is limited by plan terms. Knowledge is power when dealing with insurance companies. Their opinion…
State addresses insurance issues
State addresses insurance issues

Homeowners who have faced difficulty renewing home insurance policies can breathe a little easier for now. On Dec. 5, state insurance commissioner Ricardo Lara issued a mandatory one year moratorium on insurance companies not renewing policyholders, helping at least 800,000 homes in wildfire disaster areas…
Wall Street Could Make $1 Billion Off PG&E’s Bankruptcy – and Ratepayers Are on the Hook
Wall Street Could Make $1 Billion Off PG&E’s Bankruptcy – and Ratepayers Are on the Hook

PG&E’s bankruptcy is making some people very rich. Since the utility filed for Chapter 11 protection in January, lawyers and consultants have made a staggering $217 million. Big banks have netted $114 million in financing fees — and that number could top $1 billion by…