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…
Woolsey Fire Survivor Pays it Forward
Woolsey Fire Survivor Pays it Forward

When the Mountain Fire erupted in Ventura County in November 2024, Shelly Hiskey reached out to United Policyholders with a simple email. “Do you need help with the Mountain Fire, I am local and am willing to help.” Shelly was trained as a UP volunteer…
Protecting Your Home
Protecting Your Home

As we wrap up National Preparedness Month, take a moment to prepare for what happens after a disaster. With insurance premiums rising to all-time highs, and coverage disputes in the news, many people are questioning whether it’s worth buying. But here’s a reality check from the Los Angeles wildfires…
Using Social Media Strategically
Using Social Media Strategically

Your insurance company likely uses social media to promote their feel good, “we’re here for you” brand. That’s their business strategy. But if your insurance claim is not moving forward and/or you are being treated unfairly – it does not feel good. You need your…
Schiff revives INSURE Act to create federal reinsurance program
Schiff revives INSURE Act to create federal reinsurance program

US Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) has reintroduced the Incorporating National Support for Unprecedented Risks and Emergencies (INSURE) Act, legislation aimed at addressing instability in the residential insurance market through the creation of a federal catastrophic reinsurance program. The bill proposes a federally backed reinsurance mechanism…
Wildfire victims in limbo as fight with insurers hits another snag
Wildfire victims in limbo as fight with insurers hits another snag

After receiving more than 1,000 complaints from Jan. 7 fire victims about how insurers are handling their claims, state regulators are considering referring hundreds of the cases to mediation — a little used practice that some consumer advocates fear could hurt policyholders. The Department of…
Rebuilding Permit Centers: Get Help with Rebuilding
Rebuilding Permit Centers: Get Help with Rebuilding

Reposted from County of Los Angeles Newsletter: 5/23/25 Rebuilding Permit Centers are open for guidance through the rebuilding process for residents affected by the Palisades and Eaton fires. These permit centers connect you with the departments responsible for rebuilding in your area. LA County One-Stop Permit…
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.…
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%…
Insurers keep dropping California homeowners. Changes are in the works to try to stop their cherry-picking
Insurers keep dropping California homeowners. Changes are in the works to try to stop their cherry-picking

Many California families are opening their mailboxes and finding a bombshell: a letter from their insurance company saying they’re losing their homeowners insurance coverage, even if they live where you’d think fire risk is low. Many families are asking how these companies can easily drop…
Burglary 101
Burglary 101

At about 2 a.m. an unknown person entered the office complex in the 3800 block of La Crescenta Avenue. The only description of the suspect was that s/he was wearing a dark sweater hoodie, with the hood up, a facemask and shorts. The suspect entered…
Catch UP on Roof Damage and Insurance Claims with Sarah Parker
Catch UP on Roof Damage and Insurance Claims with Sarah Parker

In this Catch UP segment, Public Adjuster Sarah Parker shares her insights and expertise on roof damage and insurance claims.
Bach Talk: An insured future depends on bold public/private innovation
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…
Mighty Thankful
Mighty Thankful

We hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, wherever and however you celebrated. This month’s tip is a message of gratitude for the many volunteers and donors that help our nonprofit make a BIG, positive impact on people’s lives and financial health all across the nation.…
California Home Insurance FAQs
California Home Insurance FAQs

The home insurance situation remains very challenging in California, there’s no sugar-coating it. The one bright spot in the recent announcements by three leading insurers that they will no longer sell new policies is that none of them are leaving the state or wide-scale dropping…
Who can home and business owners impacted by Hurricane Ian trust?
Who can home and business owners impacted by Hurricane Ian trust?

The amount of destruction, dislocation and loss of life caused by Hurricane Ian is still being calculated, but it’s horrendous, record-breaking and very sad.  Wind damage is bad enough, but when combined with water, repairs are challenging and drying out is essential.  Qualified and reputable…
We got UP to Good! Thank you for supporting United Policyholders
We got UP to Good! Thank you for supporting United Policyholders

On Friday, September 9th, 2022, wildfire survivors, public officials and generous businesses and individuals gathered outdoors at the elegant and historic Buena Vista Winery to raise funds for the our Roadmap to Recovery, Preparedness and Advocacy programs.   Funds raised in connection with this event…
Using Social Media Strategically
Using Social Media Strategically

Your insurance company likely uses social media to promote their feel good, “we’re here for you” brand. That’s their business strategy. But if your insurance claim is not moving forward and/or you are being treated unfairly – it does not feel good. You need your…