Financial Recovery Strategies for Tornado Survivors in Mississippi
Financial Recovery Strategies for Tornado Survivors in Mississippi

A series of violent tornadoes struck southwest Mississippi on the night of May 6, leaving families in Lincoln County to face the total loss of their residences as the sun rose the following morning Among those impacted were two brothers living in the Wash Trailer…
‘It’s definitely devastating’: Mississippi brothers lost one of their homes to a tornado in minutes — here’s how families can recover financially
‘It’s definitely devastating’: Mississippi brothers lost one of their homes to a tornado in minutes — here’s how families can recover financially

On the night of May 6, a series of powerful tornadoes tore through southwest Mississippi (1). By the time the sun came up, families in Lincoln County were stepping into the rubble of what used to be their homes. Among them were two brothers from…
Insurance Companies Just Had Their Best Year in a Decade. So Why Is Your Bill Still Going Up?
Insurance Companies Just Had Their Best Year in a Decade. So Why Is Your Bill Still Going Up?

You opened your homeowners renewal notice. The number went up. Again. Maybe it was 8%. Maybe it was 14%. Either way, your first thought was probably the same as everyone else’s: Who exactly is benefiting from all of this? As it turns out, the answer…
State Farm is in Trump’s crosshairs over LA fires
State Farm is in Trump’s crosshairs over LA fires

LOS ANGELES—State Farm has burnished its reputation as the country’s largest home and auto insurer with its “good neighbor” slogan. President Trump this week offered a different take on the company: “absolutely horrible” and “not there to help!” Trump’s social-media post critical of State Farm…
The Replacement Cost Reality Check: When Home Insurance Safety Nets Fall Short
The Replacement Cost Reality Check: When Home Insurance Safety Nets Fall Short

On a crisp October day, Gershon and her husband were clearing limbs and burning leaves — a routine fall chore across the Northeast. They weren’t reckless, says Gershon. “We’re the people who look up the county codes ahead of time. Is there a certain time…
Is your home underinsured? Here’s how to tell
Is your home underinsured? Here’s how to tell

Your house isn’t just a place to hang your hat — it’s also one of your most valuable financial assets. That’s why homeowners without enough insurance can face financial ruin when disaster strikes and they find themselves suddenly homeless and unable to rebuild. The problem…
AI and Insurance Policy Interpretation After Snell v. United Specialty: What Policyholders Need to Know
AI and Insurance Policy Interpretation After Snell v. United Specialty: What Policyholders Need to Know

The decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit in Snell v. United Specialty Insurance Co. will be cited often for its holdings on policy interpretation and insurance applications under Alabama law. Perhaps the most groundbreaking analysis, likely to have long-term ramifications…
NAIC ANNOUNCES 2026 CONSUMER LIAISON REPRESENTATIVES
NAIC ANNOUNCES 2026 CONSUMER LIAISON REPRESENTATIVES

he National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) recently named 43 consumer liaison representatives for 2026. NAIC Members have long valued the voices of consumer representatives, who provide unique perspectives and insights in the NAIC’s proceedings. Regulatory policy work informed by a variety of stakeholders leads…
Soaring profits are ‘fueling tremendous anger’ among consumers as insurance rates skyrocket across the US. Here’s how to keep a lid on your premiums
Soaring profits are ‘fueling tremendous anger’ among consumers as insurance rates skyrocket across the US. Here’s how to keep a lid on your premiums

An insurance premium that ratchets up almost $1,000 over a few years is the kind of unwelcome surprise that every homeowner dreads, but that’s what happened to Cliff and Laura Pasquello, now of North Carolina, when they owned a home in Pennsylvania. “We had only…
Rep. Carter Introduces Bill to Retroactively Restore Flood Insurance Coverage and Retain Current Rates for Policyholders Impacted by Republican Shutdown
Rep. Carter Introduces Bill to Retroactively Restore Flood Insurance Coverage and Retain Current Rates for Policyholders Impacted by Republican Shutdown

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA) and Congressman Mike Ezell (R-MS), introduced H.R. 5848, theNFIP Retroactive Renewal and Reauthorization Act, legislation to backdate reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to September 30, 2025, while extending the program’s authorization until…
Where We Stand: A Homeowners Insurance Bill of Rights
Where We Stand: A Homeowners Insurance Bill of Rights

The increasing frequency of extreme weather events, combined with the rising cost of repairs and building materials, has destabilized the home insurance market. Homeowners increasingly face skyrocketing premium prices, and many are losing coverage as insurance companies pull out of regional markets altogether. At the…
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…
What Consumers Should Do to Get Fair Claims Payments in the Wake of Hurricane Ida
What Consumers Should Do to Get Fair Claims Payments in the Wake of Hurricane Ida

Washington, D.C. — The Consumer Federation of America (CFA) today warned consumers to prepare to file claims for damage resulting from Hurricane Ida and offered tips on “how to get all you are entitled to from your insurance company.” CFA believes that Hurricane Ida will produce…
Why doesn’t homeowners insurance cover flood damage?
Why doesn’t homeowners insurance cover flood damage?

The remnants of Hurricane Nicholas are drenching Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana — including areas that have barely started recovering from Hurricane Ida. ​There has been a lot of flooding over the past couple of weeks from the Gulf Coast to the Northeast, and many homeowners…
Slow as molasses in January? MS residents deserve insurance fairness
Slow as molasses in January? MS residents deserve insurance fairness

After Hurricane Katrina decimated communities in his home state of Mississippi, concerned citizen Kevin Buckel was outraged to learn that the average insurance payout to the victims was only $15,000 – far below what people needed to repair, rebuild and recover.  He looked around at…
AG lawsuit: State Farm enriched itself through Katrina homeowner program
AG lawsuit: State Farm enriched itself through Katrina homeowner program

Attorney General Jim Hood is suing State Farm Fire & Casualty Co. over millions of dollars he claims the state lost because the insurance company “maliciously” denied Hurricane Katrina claims for wind losses while the federally funded Homeowners Assistance Program picked up the tab.The lawsuit…
Most Americans uninformed about long-term care insurance
Most Americans uninformed about long-term care insurance
Mississippi State Senate Fails Homeowners Again
Mississippi State Senate Fails Homeowners Again

Citizen activist Kevin Buckel continues to work tirelessly to reform the laws in his state to better protect consumers against unfair insurance practices. Despite many setbacks, Kevin has scored important victories: Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney now supports legislation to keep the burden of proof on…