Oakland Hills homeowners finding it harder to get fire insurance
Oakland Hills homeowners finding it harder to get fire insurance

OAKLAND, Calif. KGO) — Homeowners in the Oakland Hills have joined those in the Wine Country in expressing fears about the increasing difficulties they’ve faced getting fire coverage. It’s part of 7 On Your Side’s continuing investigation into the non-renewal of home insurance policies. As…
Guest Blog: Annuity Basics
Guest Blog: Annuity Basics

There are good reasons why you might want or need to buy an annuity: You might want the tax-deferred growth they can offer. They can also provide a guaranteed income in retirement. In some cases, they can be used as an estate-planning tool. Over the…
$3,000 grant to retrofit your home? Yes, please!
$3,000 grant to retrofit your home? Yes, please!

Helping homeowners pay to retrofit their homes is a good investment for all.  We hope all California homeowners will take a moment and see if they qualify for the Earthquake Brace + Bolt program to receive $3,000 to seismically retrofit their home.  The deadline to apply…
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…
UP Petitions for CA Wildfire Insurance Investigation
UP Petitions for CA Wildfire Insurance Investigation

  United Policyholders launched a Wildfire Mitigation and Insurance Project in California in 2016 to help households in brush areas maintain insurance protection on their homes, and participate in related public policy discussions with public officials, insurance companies and other stakeholders.  In addition to publishing tips for consumers, UP is…
“Total Control” Tip of the Month, October, 2017
“Total Control” Tip of the Month, October, 2017

An insurance company’s decision whether to classify your severely damaged car as fixable or a total loss has big dollar significance to you, the policyholder. You can influence that decision with proof of the vehicle’s pre and post loss value. Depending on the extent of…
New York Today: Do I Need Flood Insurance?
New York Today: Do I Need Flood Insurance?

Hurricane Jose weakened to a tropical storm this morning, but it could still bring rain during the morning commute and whip up strong winds during the day. New York City was spared a direct hit by Jose, but the storm flooded areas from New Jersey…
San Diego Could Face $40B In Earthquake Damage. So Why Are So Few People Insured?
San Diego Could Face $40B In Earthquake Damage. So Why Are So Few People Insured?

San Diego got an eye-opening report last week about its earthquake risk. The Earthquake Engineering Research Institute reported that San Diego’s Rose Canyon fault could trigger a 6.9 magnitude quake, resulting in up to 2,000 fatalities and $40 billion in property damage. The study underscored…
Consider buying flood insurance
Consider buying flood insurance

Unless a bank requires you to buy it, you probably aren’t paying for flood insurance on your home. Maybe it’s because you don’t live near water. Maybe it’s because your community mapping is outdated. Maybe it’s because an insurance agent said you don’t need it. Maybe…
Will private insurers rescue leaking flood insurance program – or drown it?
Will private insurers rescue leaking flood insurance program – or drown it?

Privatizing federal programs is a mantra of President Trump and the Republican-controlled Congress. The National Flood Insurance Program NFIP) — up for renewal at the end of September — is a perfect target. Already in debt to the tune of $25 billion, plagued by scandals,…
The Ultimate Guide to Home Insurance for Dog Owners
The Ultimate Guide to Home Insurance for Dog Owners

Shopping for home insurance can be a challenge if you have a dog–especially if its breed is seen as dangerous. This guide will help you get a policy and affordable rate) regardless. Sixty-five percent of US households have a pet, according to the 2015-2016 National…
Tried and true may be best for you
Tried and true may be best for you

Does the idea of skipping the traditional blood and urine test to buy life insurance appeal to you? Some life insurers are using “big data” tools to size you up and price your policy instead of tried and true underwriting based on medical tests. The…
Gardening and Hardening
Gardening and Hardening

We think your insurance company should help and reward you for taking steps to make your property less likely to be damaged or destroyed in a wildfire. We are working hard to make that happen. This is the official start of wildfire season, and now…
Flood Insurance: Pricier This Year, and May Go Higher The New York Times)
Flood Insurance: Pricier This Year, and May Go Higher The New York Times)

New York Times – Many homeowners who have flood insurance — or are seeking to buy it — will face higher premiums this year, because of increases that took effect April 1. Premiums under the National Flood Insurance Program rose an average of about 6…
Fire Safe Council gathering data on homeowner’s insurance – Take the survey
Fire Safe Council gathering data on homeowner’s insurance – Take the survey

NEVADA CITY, Calif. March 15, 2017 – The Fire Safe Council of Nevada County FSCNC) is participating in the State’s Tree Mortality Task Force. Our local group is looking to gather data to make a case that insurance companies are not following state law when…
Rutgers Law School Project Addresses ‘Use It And Lose It’ in Homeowners Insurance
Rutgers Law School Project Addresses ‘Use It And Lose It’ in Homeowners Insurance

The Essential Protections for Policyholders Project is a two-year project that focuses much of its research on consumers that file ordinary claims, examining what they are surprised or disappointed by and how some of the best states are protecting insurance consumers, Feinman said in a…
Ability re: disability
Ability re: disability

If you’re fortunate to have disability insurance, but unfortunate to need to use it, there are a few key points to keep in mind when gathering proof of your eligibility for benefits, presenting it and completing insurance claim paperwork. The bottom line is, take a…