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The changes we’ll see in our health care and insurance system as a result of the historic PPACA (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act) legislation that was signed into law by President Obama in March 2010 will be implemented in phases. State insurance regulators, the…

UP has now filed 292 amicus briefs advocating for policyholders big and small since our Amicus Project was launched. Below are the summaries of briefs we’ve filed this year in the US Supreme Court, and high courts in California, New York, Texas and Utah. Visit…

This year the NAIC welcomed a historically large group of highly qualified participants into its consumer representative program.  Not a moment too soon. Some of the “near term” (fast track) provisions of PPACA (health care reform) have to be implemented as early as this coming…

May 2010 Kim Card A graduate of Stanford University Law School, Kim Card heads up her own law practice in Berkeley, California. She recently wrote UP’s brief pro bono for Davis v. Ford Motor Credit Company and Fairbanks v. Superior Court of California (2008). February…

UP has put together practical guidance for property owners who are torn over whether or not to buy earthquake insurance. We have gathered advice from financial planners, insurance agents, and damage repair experts. We have created a series of easy-to-follow tips, articles and home inventory aids.…

Last month UP helped score wins for business policyholders in New York and in Florida. In Griffith Oil Co. v. National Union Fire Ins. Co., the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York overturned a trial court and found indemnity…

The only good thing about the recent 39% rate increase by Anthem Blue Cross (California) is that it helped refocus attention on the crippling impact of spiraling health insurance premiums.   Our February Tip of the Month offers practical tips for people who are getting hit with rising…

by David E. Young Buying homeowners insurance is one of the most important financial decisions a family can make. However, it is also an area in which many people lose by default. Many people do not know how much insurance is placed on their home,…

The recent earthquake in Haiti raised awareness about the devastation that earthquakes can inflict on communities, and our hearts go out to all the victims. But the extensive media coverage of the Haiti quake overshadowed the fact that a 6.5 earthquake in Eureka, California also…

Outreach Coordinator Karen Reimus coordinated a November 2009 press conference in Orange County with 2008 “Freeway Complex” wildfire families still struggling to settle with their insurers a full year after their losses. Six speakers shared personal stories of underinsurance, low-balling and poor claims handling. Insurance…

“Rebuild or Buy” educational program in Santa Barbara a success In July, United Policyholders organized a panel of experts and coordinated a free program with the Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Services and the Mission Canyon Association for property owners impacted by the winter 2008…

Since our last issue, UP went to bat in court for individual and business policyholders in New York, California and Florida and Mississippi. In New York we continued our work promoting full legal protection for policyholders who fall victim to unfair insurance practices, and in California we advocated for…

The health care reform debates in D.C. are painful to follow. The corrosive influence of money in politics…Americans’ unreasonable expectations of what one human being can accomplish in a short period of time with a deeply divided Congress. Then there’s that inescapable sense that reform…

Every day consumers from around the country contact United Policyholders for help solving an insurance-related problem. UP staff and volunteers include professional experts as well as people who’ve personally experienced the loss of a home or a disabling illness or injury. Our Roadmap to Recovery™ program…

Imagine how you would feel if you suddenly became disabled and couldn’t work. If you were fortunate enough to have private disability insurance to replace some of your lost income, you would at least have the comfort of financial security. But what if you found…

A San Bernardino County jury recently delivered justice for Bob Keller, a man who lost his home in a 2003 wildfire then found himself grossly underinsured. Hats off to Ricardo Echevarria, a partner with UP Sponsors Shernoff, Bidart, Darras & Echevarria. Ricardo fought an expensive five-year battle against…

Polarizing the Case by Rick Friedman This is a book for trial lawyers written by one of the most successful trial lawyers in the United States. But anyone who has ever been a victim of an insurance company’s tactics designed to deny or underpay a…

Shirley Roberson UP is thrilled to welcome non-profit executive Shirley Roberson to our Board of Directors. Shirley has been indispensable to United Policyholders since 1997 in various paid and volunteer capacities. Shirley brings a wealth of skills and dedication to the Board. She was a cofounder of…