October 31, 2024 Texas Wind Insurer’s Rate Denial Spurs Funding Concerns The Texas insurance commissioner’s recent decision to deny a proposed 10% rate increase for the state’s windstorm insurer of last resort has been applauded by some for prioritizing affordable coverage for… Read more
September 1, 2024 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…
July 31, 2024 Key questions to ask when shopping for homeowners insurance If you haven’t shopped around for homeowners insurance, experts say you should You’ve heard it pays to shop around for homeowners insurance rates, but price is only part of the equation. Policies vary depending on coverage limits, deductibles and exclusions. Here are some key questions…
May 30, 2024 More insurance companies using drones to inspect homes, evaluate storm damage More insurance companies are using drones to survey storm damage and whether to write or renew homeowner’s insurance policies. But some consumer advocates say it can unfairly put a homeowner’s coverage at risk. More insurance companies are using drones to survey storm damage and whether…
May 27, 2024 How consumers can navigate insurance claims after storms Following damaging weekend storms, the weeks and months ahead will prove critical for the people impacted. Read on for key steps to get started. MEETING IMMEDIATE NEEDS Facing significant damage, consumers may need help covering the basics like temporary housing, food and clothing. “Check to…
March 22, 2024 Insurers Report Rising Hail Damage Claims Inflation is driving up the cost of materials and labor to repair roofs and cars. Adding to insurers’ costs is increased development in areas affected by severe storms. Golf balls, tennis balls, softballs. All sound like the stuff of fun games — except when they…
February 22, 2024 Texas Supreme Court Hears Arguments in a Case With Significant Implications for TWIA Policyholders Yesterday, on February 21, 2024, the Texas Supreme Court heard arguments in the case Texas Windstorm Insurance Association v. Stephen Pruski, Case No. 23-0447, in which Raizner Slania filed an amicus curiae brief on behalf of the non-profit organization United Policyholders. Uniquely for both United…
February 5, 2024 Bach Talk: An insured future depends on bold public/private innovation By Amy Bach, Executive Director, United Policyholders So far 2024 has brought more bad news for property owners, public officials, lenders and home builders on the insurance availability and affordability fronts with non-renewals, scant options and high premiums. Front page news across the country. Rate…
March 15, 2023 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…
February 3, 2023 Creak! Crackle! Pop! Does insurance cover fallen tree branches? Are you hearing unexpected cracking sounds from outside? Texas tree branches have been crashing under the weight of ice. If one falls on your house or car, use these tips: Take photos of the damage before you move the tree, make repairs, or take other…
April 2, 2021 It’s severe weather season in Texas — do you know where your homeowners insurance policy is? If you tend to stuff your insurance policy away in a drawer or a file and not look at it for a year or more, it could cost you big. DALLAS — Wed., March 24 is an important date if you are eligible for a…
February 26, 2021 Insurance claims skyrocket as pipes burst from winter storm Even as power has flickered back on, the deep freeze San Antonio was cast into last week continues to cause problems in the form of burst pipes, collapsed roofs, and water damage. As costs begin to tally, many are utilizing thier homeowners insurance at predicted…
February 26, 2021 Now That The Winter Storm Has Passed, It’s Time To Start Filing Insurance Claims Disaster struck. So what happens next? First, stop the bleeding. That’s the advice Amy Bach gives — she’s a lawyer and president of United Policyholders, a nonprofit that advises consumers on insurance issues nationwide. That means: find a reputable repairman, patch bursting pipes, and get…
February 26, 2021 Insurance claims pile up after Texas’ devastating winter storm Insurers expect hundreds of thousands of claims from burst pipes and water damage after the winter storm that paralyzed Texas and other parts of the country. Claims are piling up in what could become the costliest weather event in Texas history. One analyst estimates there’ll…
February 25, 2021 Step away from the blowtorch… The extreme cold, snow, and ice that swept across the U.S. in February 2021 is proof positive that closing the door on 2020 wasn’t a cure-all. If your home or business suffered damage due to freezing or bursting pipes or the weight of snow and ice on the…
February 22, 2021 Filing an Insurance Claim for Texas Storm Damage? Payouts Hinge on Policy Details When the snow and ice melt, many Texans will file insurance claims for the damage. Some will be annoyed that they get nothing for a freezer-full of spoiled meat, while others will be pleasantly surprised at how easy it is to get money to fix…
October 24, 2019 Right on the Money: Stats show your home is probably under-insured If you weren’t directly hit by the October tornadoes, they are a reminder to update your insurance coverage. Most homeowners are under-insured — and don’t know it DALLAS — In recent days we have seen the maps with arrows crisscrossing the Dallas area, showing where…
August 25, 2017 Be Prepared to Push Insurance Companies for Fair Treatment After Hurricane Harvey, UP Advises United Policyholders Offers Texans Free Home Inventory App, Provides Guidance to Residents for Before and After the Storm As Gulf Coast communities brace for Hurricane Harvey, the national insurance consumer non-profit United Policyholders UP) has a special message for Texans: “Be prepared to push for…
