How to find the replacement cost of your home for insurance
How to find the replacement cost of your home for insurance

When Herb Solomon changed his homeowners’ insurance this year, he was surprised to see that his new company estimated the replacement cost of his 2,600-square-foot North Berkeley home at roughly one-third less than the old one. Solomon’s policy last year, from Fireman’s Fund, had a…
Do I Need Flood Insurance?
Do I Need Flood Insurance?

A megastorm has struck your house, leaving a pile of waterlogged wreckage in its wake. But you’re covered financially because you have homeowner’s insurance, right? Wrong. Although most homeowner’s and rental policies reimburse for damage caused by wind or fire, these policies generally exclude losses…
Credit Scores Can Impact Auto Insurance Renewals
Credit Scores Can Impact Auto Insurance Renewals

Trying to figure out how auto insurance companies set your rate can be a real head-scratcher. You’re unlikely to crack the formula, but you can be sure that your credit history is part of the equation, unless you live in one of the few states…
With Hurricane Season Here, Time to Check Home Insurance
With Hurricane Season Here, Time to Check Home Insurance

Bonnie, the tropical storm that drenched the Carolinas over Memorial Day weekend, did not reach hurricane status. But that storm, and the official start of the 2016 hurricane season on Wednesday, make this a good time for homeowners to check their insurance policies to see…
Trust but verify
Trust but verify

If an insurance company rep gives you a dollar figure – get a second opinion. Whether it’s an estimate to repair damage or a quote to insure your property – trust but verify that it’s accurate. This same adage applies to medical diagnoses for serious…
Five Questions to Ask About Flood Insurance
Five Questions to Ask About Flood Insurance

In the aftermath of a flood, people may be unpleasantly surprised to find that their home insurance doesn’t cover the damage caused by rising storm waters. It hasn’t since insurance companies decided that floods were too risky to cover. “A lot of people think they…
ConsumerWatch: Travel Insurance
ConsumerWatch: Travel Insurance

Julie Watts talks about travel insurance with Amy Bach of United Policyholders 5-14-16)
Insurance Check UP
Insurance Check UP

Yes the Internet makes it easy to insure your home or business without actually meeting the person who’s selling you the policy. But given how valuable your assets are to you, don’t you want to be confident in that person’s expertise and ethics? United Policyholders…
Common Cents
Common Cents

It’s common to be nervous about the money you’re spending on your wedding and honeymoon. It’s also common now for brides or grooms to buy wedding insurance. But do wedding policies exclude more than they cover? That depends on what you buy. But for under…
When Insurance Can And Cannot) Cover Terrorist Acts
When Insurance Can And Cannot) Cover Terrorist Acts

FORBES – After the terrorist bombings in Brussels last week, over 200 flights going to or through the affected airport were canceled, disrupting travel for thousands. The airport remained closed down through Friday. Some of the airlines with itineraries to Brussels issued refunds to their…
How to Save by Bundling Auto and Home Insurance
How to Save by Bundling Auto and Home Insurance

When it comes to insurance, we all look for ways to save money. One of the easiest and most common ways to save is by bundling auto and home insurance with one company. Insurance companies typically offer discounts in exchange for carrying more than one…
Long story short…
Long story short…

Long story short… If you have long-term care insurance or are considering buying it, here’s a relevant UPdate: – If you’re in your 50’s or older, you may be considering a traditional or hybrid long term care insurance policy. One that covers home care and…
Bach Talk – The Power of Sunshine
Bach Talk – The Power of Sunshine

UP is constantly working to publish information and guidance on investing your insurance dollars wisely by patronizing companies that offer quality protection and have a record of good claim service.  We promote shopping tools that allow consumers to compare coverage side by side.  We promote…
Dam Ice!
Dam Ice!

With spring around the corner, home and business owners in snow-prone areas should be on the lookout for damage from ice dams. Extreme cold and unseasonably warm winter weather has caused ice dams to form on building roofs from New England to Minnesota. Trapped water…
Ready for El Niño? Here’s what many homeowners don’t know about flood insurance
Ready for El Niño? Here’s what many homeowners don’t know about flood insurance

LA Times – For the last several months, officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency have sounded a lot more like salesmen than bureaucrats. And their sales pitch for flood insurance — which harps on the dangers of El Niño while espousing the benefits of…
Earthquake authority offers new insurance options, rebates
Earthquake authority offers new insurance options, rebates

The California Earthquake Authority is offering new insurance policy options this year, including deductibles ranging from 5 to 25 percent, higher coverage limits for personal property and additional living expenses, and a bigger discount for homeowners who submit verified proof of retrofitting. Starting Jan. 20,…
Flood Insurance During An El Niño Winter
Flood Insurance During An El Niño Winter

A series of El Niño-generated storms are forecast to hit California through the winter months, and that has a lot of people worried about possible flooding and getting flood insurance coverage. KCRW’s Saul Gonzalez talks to insurance expert Amy Bach about what you need to…
Rock and Roll
Rock and Roll

That’s what earthquakes do…and not in the fun way like Bruce Springsteen. So if you live in a quake-prone area (and there are more than there used to be) you should be considering earthquake insurance as an asset protector. UP can help you make this…