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…
Welcome to the Party! See you on Zoom ~ 10/20/22 at 7:30pm ET / 4:30pm PT
Welcome to the Party! See you on Zoom ~ 10/20/22 at 7:30pm ET / 4:30pm PT

Dear UP to Good Virtual Guest, We look forward to seeing you this Thursday at our virtual wine-tasting.  The party starts at 4:30pm PT / 7:30pm ET on 10/20/22 the 411: To join the wine-tasting party click: www.uphelp.org/virtualparty  This link will take you directly to…
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…
Catch UP on Colorado Insurance Consumer Law with Brad Levin
Catch UP on Colorado Insurance Consumer Law with Brad Levin

In this Catch UP segment, long time policyholder Attorney Brad Levin of Levin Sitcoff Waneka shares insights on the laws that govern insurance claims and consumer rights in the State of Colorado, and lawsuit logistics and costs to those who want a remedy for unfair…
Insurance Companies Are Abandoning Homeowners Facing Climate Disasters
Insurance Companies Are Abandoning Homeowners Facing Climate Disasters

Insurance companies are leaving homeowners at the mercy of climate catastrophes they helped create. Major insurance companies are choosing to protect the fossil fuel industry while abandoning homeowners whose safety and livelihoods are being threatened by the industry’s carbon emissions. Insurance giants Chubb, Liberty Mutual,…
UP Launches 2022 California Home Insurance Survey
UP Launches 2022 California Home Insurance Survey

California Homeowners: Take the Home Insurance Survey Today www.uphelp.org/CAhomeSurvey   To help the thousands of Californians who are having trouble keeping their homes insured for a price they can afford, United Policyholders has launched a California Home Insurance Survey.  This survey will be open for…
Marshall fire victims brace for insurance claims process
Marshall fire victims brace for insurance claims process

Gov. Jared Polis and Colorado Division of Insurance Commissioner Michael Conway assured almost 800 residents impacted by the Marshall fire that the state would “fight for consumers” during the insurance claims process. According to some estimates, the insurance costs related to the fire could be…
The Wildfire List: 13 Home Improvement Steps to Harden Your Home
The Wildfire List: 13 Home Improvement Steps to Harden Your Home

After a year of work, our WRAP working group issued a list of 13 home improvement steps that we believe should be the official standards for a wildfire prepared home. Here are the 13 recommendations from an array of experts in residential wildfire risk reduction.…
Virtual Roadmap to Recovery
Virtual Roadmap to Recovery

The shelter in place orders that required so many of us to get comfortable (maybe a little too comfortable) on Zoom enabled us to fine-tune our virtual service delivery and give insured loss victims uninterrupted access to the answers and information they need. Virtually, we…
Deadly mudslides threaten more Americans as heavy rains loom over scorched lands
Deadly mudslides threaten more Americans as heavy rains loom over scorched lands

A flash of light from an exploding transformer stopped Jerry Wilkerson in his tracks. The 79-year-old retiree was just pulling onto the bridge separating him from his family cabin in Poudre Canyon, Colorado, when he watched in shock as a 10-foot wall of sludge roared…
Some California homeowners in fire-prone areas face steep insurance increase
Some California homeowners in fire-prone areas face steep insurance increase

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — Across the state, homeowners are preparing for what could be another long wildfire season. Last year broke records for fires in the state, with more than four million acres burned, and this year has already seen hundreds more fires than the…
With Start of Hurricane Season, It’s Time to Consider Flood Insurance
With Start of Hurricane Season, It’s Time to Consider Flood Insurance

Most policies are issued by the government, which plans to change the way it prices its policies in the fall to better reflect climate risks. This year’s hurricane season began early, with a named storm forming before the official start on June 1, and it is expected…
Cracking the Code
Cracking the Code

From time to time, state and local building codes get updated to meet current safety and energy efficiency standards. If you own an existing home, you don’t need to worry about paying for upgrades to comply with those new codes unless you’re making major repairs…
Evacuation Tips
Evacuation Tips

If you are told to evacuate immediately, do so.  If you think you may have to evacuate, we suggest the following ASAP: 1) Document your home and “stuff.” If you do not have a home inventory, create one before you evacuate.  Take pictures or a video of each room…
Deadlines and Decisions at the One Year Anniversary: 2017 North Bay Fires
Deadlines and Decisions at the One Year Anniversary: 2017 North Bay Fires

This is a reminder to all households impacted by the 2017 North Bay Fires. Policies typically contain deadlines for submitting documentation of your losses and for filing a lawsuit against your insurer. You’ll most likely find language in your policies that require you to submit…
Tips from the Trenches: June 2009
Tips from the Trenches: June 2009

With the hot summer months approaching, and grim predictions of droughts in California and other western states, we’re anticipating a bad wildfire season. The wildfire that just destroyed 80 more homes in Santa Barbara is proof. Read UP’s new “Preparedness Tips from the Trenches” for…