January 3, 2011 Do you know what your insurance covers? LITTLE ROCK, AR – It’s disaster season; do you know where your insurance policy is? Think your odds of disaster are low so you don’t need to really worry about what’s covered? You’re not alone. A recent survey shows a lot of us don’t have…
December 2, 2010 Flaws can cancel life insurance — after death American General Life Insurance Co. markets its policies as protection for “the hopes and dreams of American families” — a promise Ian Weissberger took to heart during his losing battle with Lou Gehrig’s disease. But after the Cathedral City mortgage broker died in 2005, American…
November 2, 2010 5 years after Katrina, homeowners insurance costs more Five years after Hurricane Katrina leveled a large part of the Gulf Coast, homeowners as far away as Maine are still paying the bill. Home insurance rates for some coastal areas have shot up 30% or more. Thousands of homeowners who live along the East…
November 2, 2010 Even with insurance, being made whole takes work Owners or renters of the homes destroyed or damaged in the fire that tore through a San Bruno neighborhood Thursday are staring at a long and challenging process to recoup their losses. Getting paid the full amount they’re entitled to for their dwellings, possessions and…
November 2, 2010 Rebuilding tips for disaster victims Even though many of the fire victims are still in shock, they must still pull it together and start of the process of rebuilding and this type of tragedy is what homeowners insurance is all about. But dealing with the loss isn’t always like one…
November 2, 2010 San Bruno fire victims navigate insurance process Though city officials are shifting their focus to help rebuild the neighborhood where a natural gas pipeline exploded last month, the pace of recovery will depend largely on how quickly the money starts to flow in. To that end, dozens of residents with destroyed or…
October 17, 2010 Your Home, Your Choice Whether your home was damaged by something as wild as a tornado or as commonplace as an overflowing washing machine, your insurer may suggest a contractor to do the repairs. They may call them “preferred” but that doesn’t mean you’re forced to hire them to…
August 23, 2010 How State Farm fought through the second storm BLOOMINGTON — It’s been five years since Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast, killing 1,800 people and causing $41.1 billion in insured damage — a single-loss record for the insurance industry. Katrina’s impact still ripples through the region today, and through Bloomington-based State Farm Insurance…
August 23, 2010 Twice Burned! Press Conference Speakers: Karen Reimus, ’03 Cedar Fire Survivor and Outreach Coordinator for United Policyholders, a nonprofit organization Patrick Craft, ’08 Freeway Complex Fire Survivor – Anaheim Hills Karla Rinskopf, ’08 Freeway Complex Fire Survivor – Yorba Linda Edward Pajarito, ’08 Freeway Complex Fire Survivor…
August 12, 2010 Battling Your Insurer Never settle for less – especially with your insurance company, says Gerri Willis. NEW YORK CNNMoney.com) — You versus your insurer: It doesn’t have to be David and Goliath. Sure, getting your insurer to pay you your fair share can be challenging, but here are…
August 11, 2010 Insurance Companies Taking Heat from Clients They griped, they vented, they asked questions on how to fight back, and they vowed to make their voices heard. “The insurance companies, I think they gave us bus fare,” said Homer Charles, whose family owns several properties in the Lower 9th Ward. “They gave…
August 10, 2010 What you need to know if your insurance company isn’t renewing your policy NEW YORK CNNMoney.com) – Hurricane season will be here before we know it. And insurance companies have already been hedging their bets – canceling and not renewing policies in places like Florida, New York, Texas and Louisiana. If you’re getting left high and dry by…
August 5, 2010 What Not To Say To Your Insurer The next time you’re talking with your insurer about filing a claim, you may want to watch what you say. According to the latest tip of the month from United Policyholders, a nonprofit group focused on educating consumers about insurance, certain words set off alarm…
August 5, 2010 Your Car, Your Choice Your car mechanic is like your spouse – once you find a good one, you try to hold on to them for life. And no one should interfere with this relationship, including your insurance company. If your car is damaged in an accident and needs…
July 15, 2010 Storm-Damaged Homes: How To Avoid Shady Roofers As we were discussing roofing scams around the office, it prompted some interesting conversation. After a hailstorm in 2006, a salesperson knocked on my door and offered to fix our damaged roof. I told him I was fine and didn’t need his help. Instantly, his…
July 7, 2010 After Tornado, Victims Fear Insurers Will Spin Them As the nation’s insurance adjusters descend on Mississippi and Alabama to assess the damage of last weekend’s deadly tornado, one question that worries its victims is whether insurers will try to avoid covering claims related to the disaster. The tornado, which has already resulted in…
June 24, 2010 Allstate sponsorships raise local ire In a queue of more than 100 taxis that idled Thursday evening at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, Farouk Sattar sat in the driver’s seat of his cab and waited for another chance to share his pointed message about Allstate Insurance Co. As the…
June 24, 2010 Group settles 22 Katrina cases with State Farm GULFPORT — The Merlin Law Group, which has only one policyholder lawsuit still open against State Farm Fire and Casualty Co., announced Thursday a settlement has been reached with the company in 22 cases. “Obviously, we are pleased to settle without costly and lengthy litigation,”…