Now that’s coverage — Insurers sent private fire crews to homes threatened by the Thomas Fire
Now that’s coverage — Insurers sent private fire crews to homes threatened by the Thomas Fire

Debra Salem-Drake was packing to evacuate as a wildfire moved within a half-mile of her Ventura home when she got a surprising call. Her insurance company was offering to come spray her home with fire-blocking gel…for free. It was Dec. 5, the second day of…
Insurance Companies Require Written Inventory From Fire Victims’ Burned Homes
Insurance Companies Require Written Inventory From Fire Victims’ Burned Homes

When the overnight firestorm raged through Santa Rosa in October, nothing in the three-bedroom house at 1445 Starview Court survived. “Nothing,” said homeowner Holly Webb. “It’s all gone.” And so, Webb was stunned when State Farm told her that getting the full $237,000 listed on…
Some homeowners lose insurance coverage as wildfire risks rise
Some homeowners lose insurance coverage as wildfire risks rise

Two days before Christmas, Oakland hills resident Anil Prasad got a letter in the mail saying his longtime home insurance wouldn’t be renewed, citing his property’s location “in an ineligible brush area.” The company offered to reinstate his policy but said it wouldn’t cover damage…
January Roadmap to Recovery Workshop Schedule – Northern California
January Roadmap to Recovery Workshop Schedule – Northern California

We look forward to continuing to help wildfire survivors on the road to recovery in the new year. Please save the dates for the following Roadmap to Recovery workshops scheduled in January. Santa Rosa – Workshop for Partial Loss Survivors: Wednesday, January 17th from 6pm-8pm…
Napa Roadmap to Recovery Workshop – Thursday, 12/14/17
Napa Roadmap to Recovery Workshop – Thursday, 12/14/17

Workshop Topic: Information and guidance on navigating your insurance claim, communicating with your insurance company going up the chain of command, and asserting your rights United Policyholders is hosting a Roadmap to Recovery workshop on Thursday, December 14th in Napa for North Bay wildfire survivors from 6-8pm The…
Hundreds of fire victims finding themselves vastly underinsured
Hundreds of fire victims finding themselves vastly underinsured

Hundreds of Sonoma County residents who lost their homes in the October wildfires say they are finding themselves underinsured and many are pressing their cases with their homeowners’ insurance carriers. Many displaced homeowners are discovering that they will likely have to pay tens to hundreds…
Roadmap to Recovery Workshop – Santa Rosa: Thursday, 12/7/17
Roadmap to Recovery Workshop – Santa Rosa: Thursday, 12/7/17

Workshop Topic: Communicating with your insurance company, going up the chain of command and your rights in California United Policyholders is hosting its fourth Roadmap to Recovery workshop in Santa Rosa for North Bay wildfire survivors at 547 Mendocino Ave. at the Unitarian Universalist Church in…
Roadmap to Recovery Workshop – Santa Rosa: Wednesday, 11/15/17
Roadmap to Recovery Workshop – Santa Rosa: Wednesday, 11/15/17

Workshop Topic: Navigating the “Contents” portion of your claim United Policyholders is hosting its third Roadmap to Recovery workshop in Santa Rosa for North Bay wildfire survivors in partnership with Jewish Family and Children’s Services.  The workshop will start at 6PM and will be right down the street…
Insurance gap may leave fire victims on the hook for millions
Insurance gap may leave fire victims on the hook for millions

SANTA ROSA, Calif. KTVU) – Some North Bay Fire victims may find their homes underinsured by hundreds of thousands of dollars. It’s a big surprise that is not uncommon after disasters. In recent years, state insurance regulators have taken action to minimize the issue. “I…
Some under-insured North Bay fire victims in for a shock
Some under-insured North Bay fire victims in for a shock

SANTA ROSA, Calif. KGO) — Fire victims working to start the rebuilding process may be in for a shock. After running the numbers, some homeowners are finding they are under-insured. Residents in hazmat suits are searching through rubble, taking photos of what’s left after the…
Debris Removal Decisions for 2017 North Bay Wildfire Survivors
Debris Removal Decisions for 2017 North Bay Wildfire Survivors

Clearing wildfire debris is the responsibility of each individual property owner.  Help is available to get the work done safely, completely, and legally.  For your and your neighbor’s protection, wildfire debris must be removed from your property and disposed of properly. Items such as retaining…
Roadmap to Recovery Report
Roadmap to Recovery Report

The scale of the devastation from the recent Northern California wildfires is just as mind-boggling as the number of homes, businesses, and lives that were impacted by hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria just a few months ago. All we can do is all we can…
Liz Weston: 4 Steps to Disaster-Proof Your Finances
Liz Weston: 4 Steps to Disaster-Proof Your Finances

Mother Nature could be excused if she wondered, “How much more prompting do you people need?” This year delivered epic wildfires, devastating hurricanes, massive floods and some pretty horrific earthquakes. Yet many people still haven’t taken a few critical steps to protect their financial lives…
Private Client Wildfire Protection
Private Client Wildfire Protection

Recent media coverage has spotlighted the handful of insurance companies that offer “private fire protection” to clients who can afford the cost.  AIG was the first on the block and several others have followed suit.  The recent North Bay wildfires will generate new data on how effective this special protection…
Have questions about fire insurance? Check out the meeting on Weds.
Have questions about fire insurance? Check out the meeting on Weds.

MENDOCINO CO., 11/07/17 — Confused about how to handle questions about insurance and the recent fire? Mendocino County is holding a meeting to provide information on insurance issues for people who are rebuilding their homes in the wake of the recent fires. The meeting will…
Politics and Policyholders
Politics and Policyholders

United Policyholders is a 501(c)(3) public benefit corporation, which means we can’t endorse or oppose candidates for public office.  But without a doubt – the outcomes of elections impact our work in many ways:  Partisan elected officials choose the judges that preside over insurance matters.…
Rebuilding After a Disaster? Don’t Let These Insurance Surprises Slow You Down
Rebuilding After a Disaster? Don’t Let These Insurance Surprises Slow You Down

Prevent payout delays with these smart and simple moves The October wildfires in California wine country destroyed more than 7,200 homes and other buildings, according to the latest estimate by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Now, as wildfire victims begin the long…
Who cleans up wildfire debris: Private contractors or the government?
Who cleans up wildfire debris: Private contractors or the government?

SANTA ROSA, Calif. Debora Villalon/KTVU – Progress is being made in North Bay fire recovery, as thousands of scorched properties have been cleared of household hazardous waste. But the next, more complex step, is debris removal, a much thornier issue for homeowners. “No one knows…