Homeowners Hit by Helene Are In for an Insurance Claim Shock
Homeowners Hit by Helene Are In for an Insurance Claim Shock

Homeowners are rushing to file insurance claims after Hurricane Helene left a trail of destruction across six states. Many of them will likely be left empty-handed. Property insurers in recent years have hollowed out coverage and sharply increased rates to make up for steep underwriting…
Homeowners hit by Hurricane Helene face the grim task of rebuilding without flood insurance
Homeowners hit by Hurricane Helene face the grim task of rebuilding without flood insurance

The Category 4 storm that first struck Florida’s Gulf Cost on September 26 has dumped trillions of gallons of water across several states, leaving a catastrophic trail of destruction that spans hundreds of miles inland A week after Hurricane Helene overwhelmed the Southeastern U.S., homeowners…
Hit by Disaster? How to Get What You Deserve From Insurers or FEMA
Hit by Disaster? How to Get What You Deserve From Insurers or FEMA

If your home was damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Helene, the most daunting challenge may still be ahead: Getting your insurance company, or the federal government, to give you the money you’re entitled to receive. That process can be infuriating and baffling, and it comes…
Where Helene victims can go for help rebuilding their homes and lives
Where Helene victims can go for help rebuilding their homes and lives

Insurance policyholders have a right to quick and full payment of claims As homeowners struggle to recover from Hurricane Helene, most will turn to their homeowners and flood insurance for relief. The Consumer Federation of America (CFA) and United Policyholders are sharing resources and tips…
Homeowners face threats to their property even after Hurricane Helene — how this disaster could cause insurance crisis for millions
Homeowners face threats to their property even after Hurricane Helene — how this disaster could cause insurance crisis for millions

“It’s a huge mess for everyone.” Even after it has subsided, Hurricane Helene continues to devastate homeowners throughout the Southeastern U.S. Beyond the billions of dollars in property damage and economic output, the record-breaking storm has further destabilized the insurance market. What’s happening? As The…
How Hurricane Helene could have widespread consequences for homeowners
How Hurricane Helene could have widespread consequences for homeowners

When Hurricane Helene slammed into Florida on Thursday night, it made landfall in the state’s sparsely populated Big Bend, far from the glittering cities with expensive waterfront property to the south. But that didn’t stop Helene from becoming another multibillion-dollar superstorm. The hurricane’s massive size…
A Florida homeowner was dropped by his insurer over drone images of his roof — here’s how to keep your policy intact
A Florida homeowner was dropped by his insurer over drone images of his roof — here’s how to keep your policy intact

When Mike Arman of Oak Hill, Florida, received notice that his home insurance policy wouldn’t be renewed, he was furious about the reason. Despite 52 years without a claim, his insurer claimed his roof was deteriorating based on satellite images, without conducting an in-person inspection.…
State officials scramble as insurance companies abandon at-risk homeowners: ‘It’s the perfect storm’
State officials scramble as insurance companies abandon at-risk homeowners: ‘It’s the perfect storm’

“We just do not have companies willing to write business in Louisiana right now, and you can’t blame them.” Facing down a natural disaster is never ideal, but things are about to get even worse for Americans who are losing home insurance primarily as a…
Insurance companies are increasingly scrutinizing the state of the inside of your house
Insurance companies are increasingly scrutinizing the state of the inside of your house

Predict and prevent is the aim of the insurance industry’s latest approach to forestall the need for them to replace. Insurance companies aren’t just scrutinizing your roof. They are snooping more closely at fixtures under the sink and around the toilet, too. Particular kinds of…
Insurance coverage law certification proposal pitched
Insurance coverage law certification proposal pitched

‘It’s a very nuanced area of the law that requires continuous work, continuous study’ Certification logoTampa insurance lawyer Debbie Crockett has good news for Florida consumers and colleagues who believe their years of experience in a complex practice area sets them apart. On August 12,…
Guest Blog: Navigating My Safe Florida Home Program
Guest Blog: Navigating My Safe Florida Home Program

I noticed my neighbor had just replaced her windows and not only did they look nice, but also strong.  To my surprise she told me she had been motivated to make the changes due to a State Program that reimbursed her for two thirds of…
Drones May Determine Whether You Get To Keep Your Property Insurance Policy
Drones May Determine Whether You Get To Keep Your Property Insurance Policy

Drones are used for so many things now, and that includes checking to see if your home meets policy requirements. But not everyone is happy about that. Amy Bach with consumer advocacy group “United Policyholders” says a lot of people are losing their insurance this…
Insurance companies are using drones to inspect homes
Insurance companies are using drones to inspect homes

If you’re a homeowner and you notice a drone flying over your house, it might be your insurance company checking to see if your home is meeting policy requirements. Insurance companies are using drones to take images of homes to avoid insuring high-risk homes and…
Want to bounce around on a trampoline? You might want to check your insurance coverage
Want to bounce around on a trampoline? You might want to check your insurance coverage

Surveilling you by drone, checking on your home sales listing and observing your address via satellite: Your insurance company might be sounding like a jealous ex. A trampoline in the yard or debris on the roof can also get you dropped from coverage these days.…
United Policyholders available for hurricane recovery information
United Policyholders available for hurricane recovery information

Hurricane recovery and insurance questions? Road map to recovery help is available Tuesday, July 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Greater Pine Island Alliance office at 10484 Stringfellow Road, Suite 2, St. James City. For additional information, contact Julitza Perez @ julitza@uphelp.org…
GPIA gives update on island’s recovery
GPIA gives update on island’s recovery

Representatives of United Policyholders attend meeting, provide information to assist islanders Last Tuesday, June 18, the Greater Pine Island Alliance providing an update on the island’s recovery during its monthly meeting at the Pine Island Community Church where guest speakers from United Policyholders were asked…
As homeowner’s insurance prices climb, more Americans ask: Is it worth it?
As homeowner’s insurance prices climb, more Americans ask: Is it worth it?

It was 2019 when Anjali Tierra decided that homeowners insurance wasn’t worth the price. The retired high school teacher, 58, took out a policy in late 2018 after purchasing a three-bedroom home nestled in the Tehachapi Mountains of southern California. She considered the insurance affordable…
States beg insurers not to drop climate-threatened homes
States beg insurers not to drop climate-threatened homes

Property insurance companies say they’re taking losses amid escalating disasters. In the coming years, climate change could force Americans from their homes, not just by raising sea levels, worsening wildfires and causing floods — but also by putting insurance coverage out of reach. In places…