Evacuated from the fires? Read this before you file an insurance claim
Evacuated from the fires? Read this before you file an insurance claim

The California Department of Insurance has been urging residents who were under mandatory evacuation during the Kincade and Southern California wildfires to see if they can file a claim for additional living expenses under their homeowners or renters policies. Most policies in California cover expenses…
Insurance Commissioner to Order Increased FAIR Plan Coverage Options
Insurance Commissioner to Order Increased FAIR Plan Coverage Options

Sacramento, CA…As wildfire risk drives more non-renewals of homeowner insurance across the state, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara is taking action to help homeowners find adequate coverage to protect their homes by ordering the FAIR Plan to offer a comprehensive policy in addition to its current…
Kincade fire survivors gather for updates, resources at Alexander Valley Community Center
Kincade fire survivors gather for updates, resources at Alexander Valley Community Center

When the more than 200 Kincade fire survivors who gathered Saturday morning at the Alexander Valley Community Center in Geyserville heard a firefighter introduce himself, they filled the hall with applause. More than half of them had structures burned in the fire. Some lost entire…
Survey: One-third want to rebuild after Camp Fire, over 60% under-insured
Survey: One-third want to rebuild after Camp Fire, over 60% under-insured

United Policyholders one-year survey released Less than one third of the Camp Fire survivors who responded to a survey about their insurance claims a year after the disaster said they had decided to rebuild. Those who said they planned to rebuild their home was 28…
California to expand last-resort fire insurance plan for homeowners
California to expand last-resort fire insurance plan for homeowners

With more destructive wildfires burning California, insurance companies are increasingly declining coverage to homeowners As more companies refuse to provide fire insurance to homeowners in a state plagued by increasingly destructive blazes, California’s insurance commissioner said Thursday that a plan once meant to be a…
California to overhaul insurance plan after wildfires
California to overhaul insurance plan after wildfires

SACRAMENTO, Calif. AP) — Californians who lost their home insurance because of the threat of wildfires will be able to buy comprehensive policies next year through a state-mandated plan under an order issued Thursday by the state insurance commissioner. As wildfires threaten the state, insurance…
‘Pioneers’ choose to rebuild against the fire odds in Butte County
‘Pioneers’ choose to rebuild against the fire odds in Butte County

PARADISE — People submit applications for rebuilding permits to the town of Paradise and Butte County every day. On Nov. 1, it was Wade and Courtney Petersen’s turn. “It’s just a really exciting moment,” she said as she filled out the paperwork in town hall.…
Kincade Fire Survivors – Visit UP in the LAC
Kincade Fire Survivors – Visit UP in the LAC

United Policyholders will be helping Kincade Fire survivors at the Local Assistance Center in Healdsburg from Monday, November 4th – Wednesday, November 6th. The LAC will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Residents impacted by the Kincade Fire can access recovery services and…
Thanks for giving!
Thanks for giving!

It’s time to give thanks. We are so grateful to all our supporters who generously give their time, experience, expertise and dollars to help United Policyholders be where we are needed. A special thank you to the volunteers that helped UP tell our story in…
Tips for shopping for home insurance in a challenging market
Tips for shopping for home insurance in a challenging market

It is not uncommon for people to break down in tears after getting a notice that their home insurer is dropping them as a customer.  In some cases, it’s tears of frustration that they paid all that money for insurance they never used, or tears…
Gov. Newsom signs law requiring home insurers give policyholders more time before cancellations
Gov. Newsom signs law requiring home insurers give policyholders more time before cancellations

Gov. Gavin Newsom on Saturday signed legislation into law that makes insurers give homeowners longer advance notice before canceling their policies. The law increases the minimum time notification for homeowner policy nonrenewals from 45 days to 75 days. However, the change does not go into…
There’s a quake every three minutes in California – here’s why we still don’t buy quake insurance
There’s a quake every three minutes in California – here’s why we still don’t buy quake insurance

ORINDA, Calif. KGO) — Scientists tell us earthquakes strike every three minutes in California — though most of them are so weak we can’t feel them, enough are so big we can’t forget them. So, does living through a quake drive us to buy earthquake…
First Steps After a Wildfire
First Steps After a Wildfire

If you, or someone you know has been affected by the recent fires, please read our First Steps After a Wildfire below.  We encourage you to visit our website throughout the recovery process. This checklist will help keep you on track during this stressful time.…
Homeowner, renters’ insurance likely won’t cover PG&E power outage losses
Homeowner, renters’ insurance likely won’t cover PG&E power outage losses

SAN FRANCISCO KGO) — Although people had a couple of days to plan for the power shutoffs, losses were inevitable. So who’s responsible to pay for that? Unfortunately, it’s the PG&E customers who are stuck with the bill. What makes this situation different than any…
6 ways to dramatically lower your home insurance costs
6 ways to dramatically lower your home insurance costs

The cost of homeowners insurance is one of those unavoidable expenses that comes along with owning a house. How much you’ll pay for insurance varies depending on your location and the age of your home, but the average annual homeowners insurance premium is $1,200. That…
On 2nd anniversary of Tubbs Fire, only 10% of homes are rebuilt
On 2nd anniversary of Tubbs Fire, only 10% of homes are rebuilt

SANTA ROSA, Calif. KTVU) – With only bout 10% of Santa Rosa homes rebuilt from the 2017 Tubbs fire, the second anniversary of the fire will cause a turn for the worse in many victim’s finances. On Tuesday, many folks waiting to complete or rebuild…
Spooky Language Hiding in Your Insurance?
Spooky Language Hiding in Your Insurance?

Getting a notice from a home insurer that they’re dropping you is scary, and UP works hard to help people in that situation. Read our latest tips on shopping for affordable home insurance when your options are limited. Just as scary is hearing your insurer…
1 big thing: Insurance deploying AI against wildfires
1 big thing: Insurance deploying AI against wildfires

To keep up with California’s unrelenting wildfire threat, some insurers are now turning to AI to predict fire risk with unprecedented, structure-by-structure detail. Why it matters: This will allow them to cover homes in areas that they would otherwise have passed over — but potentially…