Speak UP: Talk so your insurer will hear you
Speak UP: Talk so your insurer will hear you

Here are just a few of UP’s many tips for communicating effectively with an insurance company: Create a paper trail. Be proactive: Document your losses and make specific reimbursement requests. Use good grammar, be polite, be persistent. Remember you’re in a business negotiation and not…
Need quick, useful gifts for the holidays?
Need quick, useful gifts for the holidays?

How about buying an emergency kit or safety supplies for the people on your gift list this year?  They’re non-fattening and really useful! Click on one of the images below to start shopping at UP partner Your Safety Place. Enter promotion code UP10 at checkout to get…
Buy Your Safety Supplies at 10% off and Support UP
Buy Your Safety Supplies at 10% off and Support UP

Essential supplies for making your home or workplace emergency-ready can be purchased at 10% off from United Policyholders’ newest preparedness partner, Your Safety Place. And, not only will you get the discount, but Your Safety Place will donate 10% of your purchase to support our…
The Great Shake Out: Drop, Cover and Hold-On!
The Great Shake Out: Drop, Cover and Hold-On!

To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Loma Prieta Earthquake, United Policyholders is participating in The Great California Shake Out today at 10:15 AM! Find more information about this drill at shakeout.org and get ready to Drop, Cover and Hold On! The Great Misconception: Time…
No Time Like the Present
No Time Like the Present

The 2009 wildfire season in California has gotten off to an early raging start. If you live in an area at high risk for fire (or any natural disaster), we strongly urge you to create an inventory of your home’s contents as a precaution. The…
Have Insurance, Will Travel
Have Insurance, Will Travel

Traveling can be one of life’s greatest joys, but injuries or other unpleasant surprises can put a crimp in your plans. Travel insurance isn’t for everyone, but if you think you might need it, here are a few things to consider: There are many travel…
Is Earthquake Insurance Worth It?
Is Earthquake Insurance Worth It?

Earthquakes are one of the natural disasters that are not typically covered under conventional homeowners insurance policies. And while many people think that Californians are the only ones who need to worry about earthquake insurance, the reality is that earthquake risk is far more widespread…
Insuring your home against disaster
Insuring your home against disaster

If the worst happens, you can’t be sure you’ll collect enough to bring back the home you love. Here’s what to do. Money Magazine) — If last fall’s devastating California wildfires weren’t enough of a wake-up call, consider this: Nearly 60% of homes nationwide don’t…
California Roundtable To Create Incentives for Disaster Preparation, Fire Mitigation
California Roundtable To Create Incentives for Disaster Preparation, Fire Mitigation

After bringing together insurance industry executives, consumer groups and fire officials to discuss preparations for future potential fire disasters at a roundtable held on May 12, 2008, California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner announced an effort to create economic or other incentives for insurers and consumers…
Disaster Readiness in San Diego
Disaster Readiness in San Diego

Earthquake, typhoon, wildfire. “What I see from other parts of the world, even the nation, I think California could learn more,” reflected University of California, San Diego Professor José Restrepo. The director of Operations for the Charles Lee Powell Structural Laboratories lived through a 7.2…
Gender can cost you in individual health insurance
Gender can cost you in individual health insurance

When it comes to health insurance, Valencia resident Tova Hack’s first problem is that she works part time and thus needs an individual policy for medical coverage because her employer doesn’t offer one. Her second problem is that she’s a woman. Hack, 22, a grad…
MS Insurance Commissioner Unresponsive to Consumers, says UP
MS Insurance Commissioner Unresponsive to Consumers, says UP

Mississippi Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney needs to do a better job for consumers, two national organizations have concluded, but Chaney said Wednesday night that he he has “a full platter.” The Consumer Federation of America says the Insurance Department’s Internet site does an inadequate job…
Preparing For Disaster Workshop
Preparing For Disaster Workshop

Two Informative Seminars Held Lake Arrowhead, CA – Rebuilding Mountain Hearts & Lives presented two identical workshops yesterday September 13) for local residents on how to be prepared for a disaster including proper insurance coverage. Participants at the free sessions will learn the ins and…
UP participates in Mitigation Roundtable Hosted by CA. Comm’r Poizner
UP participates in Mitigation Roundtable Hosted by CA. Comm’r Poizner

Commissioner Hosts Wildfire Preparedness and Mitigation Roundtable with Insurance Industry, Consumer Groups and Fire Officials in San Diego SAN DIEGO: After bringing together insurance industry executives, consumer groups and fire officials to discuss preparations for future potential fire disasters, Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner announced an…
Young Adults May Have To Wait For Health Coverage
Young Adults May Have To Wait For Health Coverage

Young adults are one of the largest groups that lack health care coverage in the United States. With the new health care reform bill going into effect in a few months, dependents under the age of 26 will be able to be added onto their…
Is Earthquake Insurance Worth the Cost?
Is Earthquake Insurance Worth the Cost?

I am not much of a fan of “could it happen here” stories, but the earthquake in Haiti does remind us that much of the United States, in fact much of the world, lives along fault zones. In the last 110 years, quakes have shaken…
Hijacked On Home Insurance? Let Angie’s List Help You Save
Hijacked On Home Insurance? Let Angie’s List Help You Save

When Jen Freeland and her husband bought their house in Chattanooga, Tenn., they purchased a homeowners policy with an annual premium of $680. Two years later, the bill jumped to nearly double that. “We’ve never had a claim on our homeowners insurance and we’d like…
Homeowner’s Insurance: Make Sure You Are Covered
Homeowner’s Insurance: Make Sure You Are Covered

As Tropical Storm Ida works its way north, it’s a good reminder to check your homeowners insurance and make sure you have the proper coverage. After all, you don’t want to end up like Daniel Zwerdling and Barbara Zwerdling-Rothschild. On a stormy night six years…