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 13, 2010 Is your home underinsured? 8 key points After every natural disaster, too many people discover an awful truth: They don’t have enough insurance to rebuild their homes. Nationwide, more than two-thirds of homeowners are underinsured, according to a survey by insurance services firm MSB, by an average of 18%. That means someone…
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 11, 2010 On the hunt for homeowners insurance NEW YORK CNNMoney.com) — It’s hasta la vista Allstate. The third-largest California insurer said last week it will stop writing new homeowner policies starting in July, pointing at the high risk of catastrophes in the state. The company said it will continue to serve customers…
June 23, 2010 UP Weighs in for policyholders in CA Supreme Court Briefing Begins in Fairbanks Can a consumer sue an insurance company under the Consumer Legal Remedies Act? The court of appeals says no, but the California Supreme Court will deliver the final word. The plaintiffs have filed their opening brief, and amicus briefs will be…
June 23, 2010 CNBC Business Nation: Are you insured? Homeowners battle insurance companies over loss claims After the devastation of the California wildfires last October and record damage from hurricane Katrina, you’d think the homeowners insurance industry would be struggling. But you’d be wrong. Insurance companies are reeling in record profits — making more…
June 23, 2010 Allianz settles annuities cases State Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner will announce details today in Oakland of a $10 million settlement involving the sale of improper annuities to California seniors. by Minnesota-based Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America. Under the terms of the settlement, Allianz will enact more consumer…
June 23, 2010 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…
June 22, 2010 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…
June 22, 2010 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…
June 22, 2010 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…
June 22, 2010 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…
June 22, 2010 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…
June 22, 2010 Calif. Department of Insurance Offers Help to San Diego Fire Victims The California Department of Insurance is extending a helping hand to residents affected by the San Diego fires. The agency, along with Consumer advocacy groups, United Policyholders and RB United, will hold sessions to help affected residents collect their claims. Reporter, David Nogueras has more.…
June 22, 2010 California Bush Fire Victims Discover Belatedly They Are Underinsured Los Angeles, CA AHN) – A survey by United Policyholders slated for release Friday states widespread underinsurance of properties in California, unveiled by the recent wild bushfires. The San Francisco-based consumer organization surveyed 274 residents on the extent of the damage the wildfires caused on…
June 22, 2010 Companies, underinsured homeowners still in dispute over settlements stemming from 2007 wildfires They spent a recent Saturday creating detailed lists of the contents of their houses – everything from dishes and bed linens to socks and unopened tubes of toothpaste. When memories failed, they turned to each other’s lists to jar their recollections. It was a long…
June 22, 2010 County has provided mental health services for victims of ’07 fires After his Fallbrook home was destroyed in the 2007 wildfires, Richard McDonnell realized that his friends didn’t understand his sense of loss, the grieving for destroyed heirlooms or the frustration over the the slow rebuilding process. Then McDonnell, 63, began attending the weekly group meetings…
