Business interruption insurance falls short in a pandemic
Business interruption insurance falls short in a pandemic

When Salvatore Ferro saw his Commack-based home remodeling business plummet by more than half due to the coronavirus pandemic, he contacted his insurance broker to find out how to make a claim on his business interruption insurance. He was shocked to learn the policy –…
Can businesses rely on insurance to overcome COVID-19 losses?
Can businesses rely on insurance to overcome COVID-19 losses?

The short answer is, for many it will be a fight. Bottom line:  Don’t take no for an answer until you’ve exhausted all arguments and avenues for help.  And there are many of them. United Policyholders is hard at work curating solid guidance to arm businesses…
#Nashville Strong – Eyes on Roof Repairs
#Nashville Strong – Eyes on Roof Repairs

United Policyholders is providing Roadmap to Recovery services to people and businesses impacted by the recent Nashville Tornadoes.  Thanks to our newest volunteer, Nashville VOAD officer Gary Ward, our Guides are being distributed at official help centers in the region.  Our Roadmap to Recovery help library…
How to Get Your Insurer to Cover Treatment for an Eating Disorder
How to Get Your Insurer to Cover Treatment for an Eating Disorder

If you or a member of your family are suffering from an eating disorder, your insurer may balk at covering treatment by claiming it’s “not medically necessary” or that coverage is limited by plan terms. Knowledge is power when dealing with insurance companies. Their opinion…
State addresses insurance issues
State addresses insurance issues

Homeowners who have faced difficulty renewing home insurance policies can breathe a little easier for now. On Dec. 5, state insurance commissioner Ricardo Lara issued a mandatory one year moratorium on insurance companies not renewing policyholders, helping at least 800,000 homes in wildfire disaster areas…
Wall Street Could Make $1 Billion Off PG&E’s Bankruptcy – and Ratepayers Are on the Hook
Wall Street Could Make $1 Billion Off PG&E’s Bankruptcy – and Ratepayers Are on the Hook

PG&E’s bankruptcy is making some people very rich. Since the utility filed for Chapter 11 protection in January, lawyers and consultants have made a staggering $217 million. Big banks have netted $114 million in financing fees — and that number could top $1 billion by…
When Your Insurer Decides Your Home Isn’t Worth the Risk
When Your Insurer Decides Your Home Isn’t Worth the Risk

Homeowners living in areas prone to fire- and hurricane-related damage face another risk: getting dropped by their insurance company As if living through a string of deadly wildfires weren’t bad enough, some California homeowners were further burned when their insurers wouldn’t renew their fire-protection policies.…
State bans insurers from dropping policies in fire areas
State bans insurers from dropping policies in fire areas

Helping at least 800,000 homes in wildfire disaster areas in Northern and Southern California, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara issued a mandatory one-year moratorium on insurance companies non-renewing policyholders Thursday. The action is the result of Senate Bill 824 in order to give temporary relief from…
The Observer: Moratorium issued on wildfire insurance cancellations
The Observer: Moratorium issued on wildfire insurance cancellations

Really good news regarding insurance companies cancelling homeowner policies in areas devastated by wildfires. California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara on Thursday, Dec. 5, issued a mandatory one-year moratorium on insurance companies non-renewing policyholders — helping at least 800,000 homes in wildfire disaster areas in California.…
State insurance chief bans insurers from dropping coverage of homeowners near Kincade fire
State insurance chief bans insurers from dropping coverage of homeowners near Kincade fire

The state insurance commissioner took a bold step Thursday to prevent property insurance companies from dropping a slew of homeowner customers, banning insurers for a year from canceling coverage for people residing in or near areas where the state’s 16 wildfires burned this year. It…
Wildfire insurance crisis leads commissioner to call for first-ever statewide non-renewal moratorium
Wildfire insurance crisis leads commissioner to call for first-ever statewide non-renewal moratorium

Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara on Thursday issued a mandatory one-year moratorium on insurance companies non-renewing policyholders — helping at least 800,000 homes in wildfire disaster areas in Northern and Southern California, a news release states, but Nevada County residents will not be impacted by the…
Insuring the uninsured for wildfire risk
Insuring the uninsured for wildfire risk

OAKLAND, Calif. KGO) — Beginning on Thursday insurance companies doing business in California cannot cancel a homeowners policy in fire zone areas. The moratorium is good for one year. This action will help residents of more than 800 thousand homes in wildfire areas whose policies…
How Climate Prediction Tech is Reshaping the Insurance Industry
How Climate Prediction Tech is Reshaping the Insurance Industry

Nevada County sits in the Sierra foothills in the heart of Gold Country. Narrow roads snake through towering old-growth pine trees and cedars. Cal Fire has designated the county seat, Nevada City, and nearby Grass Valley as “very high fire hazard severity zones.” Right in…
California to beef up backstop for those losing homeowners’ insurance in wildfire-prone areas
California to beef up backstop for those losing homeowners’ insurance in wildfire-prone areas

California regulators announced on Thursday new protections aimed at helping the growing number of people living in wildfire-prone areas who cannot find adequate homeowner’s insurance. Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara said that starting early next year his agency will significantly expand a state-created program that acts…
NEW extended deadline: December 31. How to apply for compensation for uninsured wildfire losses from the PG&E fund
NEW extended deadline: December 31. How to apply for compensation for uninsured wildfire losses from the PG&E fund

If you were affected by the recent (2015, 2017, 2018) Northern California Wildfires you have until 5pm on Monday, October 21st, 2019 December 31, 2019 (deadline extended!) to file a claim form to potentially receive compensation from PG&E for your uninsured losses. We encourage you to watch the…
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…