After hurricanes, the business of rebuilding lives means navigating the insurance claims process
After hurricanes, the business of rebuilding lives means navigating the insurance claims process

Now that the threat of Hurricanes Helene and Milton has receded, millions of homeowners and business-owners across Florida and the Southeastern U.S. are faced with traversing the often long and laborious process of using insurance to rebuild their lives. Immediately after disasters like these, property…
Why Insurance Rates for New York Property Owners Are Soaring
Why Insurance Rates for New York Property Owners Are Soaring

Policies are harder to find and costlier when they are available for homeowners who are struggling to stay above water. Logan Browne thought he already experienced sticker shock from his Bushwick condo building’s insurance rate tripling last year. Then, this summer, the insurance company dropped…
Why Insurance Rates for New York Property Owners Are Soaring
Why Insurance Rates for New York Property Owners Are Soaring

Policies are harder to find and costlier when they are available for homeowners who are struggling to stay above water. Logan Browne thought he already experienced sticker shock from his Bushwick condo building’s insurance rate tripling last year. Then, this summer, the insurance company dropped…
Navigating Insurance Claims After Hurricanes Helene and Milton
Navigating Insurance Claims After Hurricanes Helene and Milton

Insurance Claims After Hurricanes Helene and Milton: Quick Looks Understanding policies: Know your coverage limits, exclusions, and deductibles to determine if filing a claim is worthwhile. Documentation is key: Keep detailed records of damages, expenses, and interactions with adjusters to support your claim. Seek professional…
Hurricanes Milton, Helene underscore potentially devastating gaps in home insurance coverage
Hurricanes Milton, Helene underscore potentially devastating gaps in home insurance coverage

Hurricanes Milton and Helene are exposing holes in the home insurance coverage that many Americans have leaned on for a sense of security in the face of natural disasters. Milton is currently headed for Tampa Bay, where — if the hurricane’s angle of approach is…
Disaster Recovery Community Update set for Wednesday at Lahaina Civic Center
Disaster Recovery Community Update set for Wednesday at Lahaina Civic Center

A status update on wildfire debris cleanup will be provided by the US Army Corps of Engineers on Wednesday, Oct. 9, during a Maui County Disaster Recovery Community Update meeting at the Lahaina Civic Center. The meeting starts at 5:30 p.m. in the social hall.…
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…
Hurricane Helene brought major damage, spotlighting lack of flood insurance
Hurricane Helene brought major damage, spotlighting lack of flood insurance

Kayla Ward was drinking coffee on her porch Friday afternoon when she noticed water from the nearby Nolichucky River rising fast. After nearly a year in the house in the Appalachian Mountains, Ward never thought to worry about flooding. But she and her husband had…
Homeowner says she needs new roof, insurer says no, just one shingle
Homeowner says she needs new roof, insurer says no, just one shingle

It started with Tropical Storm Debby back in August and more homeowners could find themselves in a similar situation after Helene. “My husband went through the house and came back and looked at me and said, ‘We got problems,’” Mary Barnes said. She says her…
New insurance insights from second series forum hosted by Center for California Real Estate
New insurance insights from second series forum hosted by Center for California Real Estate

LONG BEACH, Calif., Oct. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The California Dept. of Insurance and other industry leaders gathered last week to continue statewide conversations around insurance challenges at the forum, “Securing California’s Insurance Market: The Path Forward,” hosted by the Center for California Real Estate.…
State Farm forecasts decline in California policies over the next five years
State Farm forecasts decline in California policies over the next five years

The drop is expected to be around 1 million Insurer State Farm has stated that it was expecting to see the number of policies that it issues in California decline by 2 million by the year 2028, following the financial issues it was encountering, as…
Preparing Vulnerable Communities for Natural Disasters
Preparing Vulnerable Communities for Natural Disasters

During September, which is also National Preparedness Month, CWS’ Emergency Preparedness, Response and Recovery (EPRR) team dedicated its time to equipping vulnerable communities in northern California with the knowledge and tools they need to survive a disaster. September is also a wildfire season, making the…
State Farm projects dropping 1 million policies in California over next five years
State Farm projects dropping 1 million policies in California over next five years

State Farm is projecting that by 2028, the number of policies it issues in California will drop by 1 million, as the insurance giant grapples with financial distress and pulls back from the Golden State. According to a filing submitted to the California Department of…
Homeowners scramble after insurance company hikes rates following major disasters: ‘Doubles down on the bad news’
Homeowners scramble after insurance company hikes rates following major disasters: ‘Doubles down on the bad news’

With prices continually rising, many people cannot afford to pay for insurance, making them vulnerable to financial damage as well as the risk to life that wildfires bring. What’s happening? The Washington Post reported that Allstate has been approved to raise insurance premiums by 34%…