Biden wades into home insurance mess
Biden wades into home insurance mess

Climate change may be forcing millions of Americans to go without home insurance, as unpredictable weather and intensifying disasters prompt major underwriters to flee hard-hit neighborhoods. In response, the Biden administration is asking top insurance companies — for the first time — to provide detailed,…
Advocacy Wins in Colorado! (2023)
Advocacy Wins in Colorado! (2023)

By Lisa Hughes, Marshall Fire Survivor and UP Local Liaison Team UP Colorado worked closely with Insurance Commissioner Mike Conway and Rep. Judy Amabile to enact new consumer protections this legislative session, and we were very pleased to join Governor Polis when he signed HB-23-1174…
Climate disasters make it harder to insure your home. Here’s what to know.
Climate disasters make it harder to insure your home. Here’s what to know.

Premiums are soaring and carriers are pulling back coverage, citing disaster risks. Climate change is a big factor, but there are others at play. Homeowners are bracing for hurricane and fire seasons, but with insurance premiums rising and carriers pulling back coverage in riskier states,…
Insurance consumer advocate group unveils state-by-state guide to insurance legal rights
Insurance consumer advocate group unveils state-by-state guide to insurance legal rights

For Immediate Release:  March 13, 2023 Contact: Amy Bach, Executive Director SAN FRANCISCO, March 9, 2023 – United Policyholders (UP), a national insurance consumer advocacy non-profit, today announced a major expansion of its services. Insurance company claim adjusters are required to know and follow the…
Insurance denied: More Coloradans can’t get homeowner’s insurance because of wildfire risk
Insurance denied: More Coloradans can’t get homeowner’s insurance because of wildfire risk

More and more Colorado homeowners across the state are being denied homeowners insurance because of wildfire risk. Now, the state insurance commissioner, state lawmakers, and homeowners are working together on a solution, as the insurance industry issues a warning. Colorado homeowners being denied insurance On…
Improving Disaster Recovery
Improving Disaster Recovery

UP advocates for expedited insurance payouts and fewer paperwork hassles for disaster survivors. By helping people get the money they need to repair, rebuild and replace with fewer delays, we’re improving their ability to restore the quality of their lives and financial health. This week,…
Catch UP on Colorado Insurance Consumer Law with Brad Levin
Catch UP on Colorado Insurance Consumer Law with Brad Levin

In this Catch UP segment, long time policyholder Attorney Brad Levin of Levin Sitcoff Waneka shares insights on the laws that govern insurance claims and consumer rights in the State of Colorado, and lawsuit logistics and costs to those who want a remedy for unfair…
Advocacy Win! New Rights for Colorado Insurance Consumers (HB 22-1111)
Advocacy Win! New Rights for Colorado Insurance Consumers (HB 22-1111)

UP is pleased to share the great news that we succeeded in securing new rights for CO insurance consumers that will improve future disaster recovery when Governor Polis today signed CO HB 22-1111 into law. UP was instrumental in the negotiations and testimony that led…
Catch UP on Additional Living Expense (ALE) Alternatives with Natasha O’Flaherty
Catch UP on Additional Living Expense (ALE) Alternatives with Natasha O’Flaherty

Colorado Attorney Natasha O’Flaherty has been assisting wildfire impacted households with insurance matters since a 2020 wildfire destroyed hundreds of homes in her community.  In this Catch UP segment, she discusses approaches she took on behalf of clients who needed help finding temporary housing when…
Should wildfire victims get more insurance money up front? Some lawmakers think so.
Should wildfire victims get more insurance money up front? Some lawmakers think so.

When wildfire struck Grand County, Marjorie Cranston and her husband lost their home of 15 years. The loss was hard enough, Cranston said, without spending months scouring her brain to remember every single item lost in the flames. The 2020 East Troublesome Fire destroyed an estimated 366…
California wildfire survivor helps residents impacted by Marshall Fire navigate insurance
California wildfire survivor helps residents impacted by Marshall Fire navigate insurance

LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW HERE The process of recovering from the Marshall Fire looks different for each person affected. For those who were insured, working with their provider to file claims and compile detailed inventories of belongings has become part of day-to-day life. But not…
United Policyholders Amy Bach on Marshall Fire Insurance Challenges
United Policyholders Amy Bach on Marshall Fire Insurance Challenges

Click below to listen to the radio interview: 2/3/22 KOA 850 AM & 94.1 FM
For people who lost homes in the Marshall Fire, insurance might not cover everything.
For people who lost homes in the Marshall Fire, insurance might not cover everything.

It could be months before many homeowners that lost everything in the Marshall Fire are able to even clean up the debris left by the blaze. In the meantime, many are already girding for battle with their insurance companies. Colorado Insurance Commissioner Michael Conway is…
Boulder County fire victims have insurance questions. Here are some answers.
Boulder County fire victims have insurance questions. Here are some answers.

Are you underinsured? (Possibly.) Should you wait for a master builder to redo the whole neighborhood? (No.) Can you get a living expenses check now? (Yes. Do it.) Meanwhile, all Colorado homeowners should do this tuneup. Insurance, when it works, is meant to be restorative.…
Marshall fire victims brace for insurance claims process
Marshall fire victims brace for insurance claims process

Gov. Jared Polis and Colorado Division of Insurance Commissioner Michael Conway assured almost 800 residents impacted by the Marshall fire that the state would “fight for consumers” during the insurance claims process. According to some estimates, the insurance costs related to the fire could be…
Homeowners impacted by 2020 wildfires asked to complete survey on insurance process
Homeowners impacted by 2020 wildfires asked to complete survey on insurance process

COLORADO, USA — Anyone whose home was impacted by wildfires in 2020 has their chance to complain about the insurance process. The United Policyholders is asking people impacted by last year’s fires to complete a survey on their experience with insurance. The confidential survey asks questions about…
Wildfire victims asked to complete state survey on insurance
Wildfire victims asked to complete state survey on insurance

COLORADO, USA — Anyone whose home was impacted by wildfires in 2020 has their chance to complain about the insurance process. The United Policyholders is asking people impacted by last year’s fires to complete a survey on their experience with insurance. The confidential survey asks questions about…
Residents of Western States Face a Dry, Dangerous, Underinsured Future
Residents of Western States Face a Dry, Dangerous, Underinsured Future

As thousands lost everything, insurers have jacked up premiums—or fled altogether. When Steve Kress moved into an old ambulance he’d converted into a travel van some weeks ago, he’d started wearing a pin that reads “Since I gave up hope, I feel much better.” “It’s true…