Giving thanks to those who pay it forward
Giving thanks to those who pay it forward

This month’s tip from the non-profit that has your back when insurance matters is to recognize and be grateful for our previous disaster survivor volunteers who share their hard-earned wisdom and help United Policyholders make a BIG, positive impact on people’s lives and financial health all across…
Lara’s Revenge Regulation Will Gut Public Participation in Insurance Rate-Making, Consumer Watchdog Says at Hearing Today
Lara’s Revenge Regulation Will Gut Public Participation in Insurance Rate-Making, Consumer Watchdog Says at Hearing Today

Lara’s Revenge Regulation Will Gut Public Participation in Insurance Rate-Making, Consumer Watchdog Says at Hearing Today Lara’s Revenge Regulation Will Gut Public Participation in Insurance Rate-Making, Consumer Watchdog Says at Hearing Today PR Newswire LOS ANGELES, Nov. 20, 2025 LOS ANGELES, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/…
California insurance reforms leaving homeowners uninsured
California insurance reforms leaving homeowners uninsured

SAN DIEGO — California’s insurance reforms, intended to bring relief to homeowners struggling with wildfire coverage, have instead resulted in higher rates and an increase in state homeowners without fire insurance. More than 10% of California homeowners don’t have fire insurance, according to a recent…
MEDIA ADVISORY: SENATOR CORTESE’S SENATE BILL 429 WILL ESTABLISH NATION’S FIRST WILDFIRE CATASTROPHE PUBLIC MODEL
MEDIA ADVISORY: SENATOR CORTESE’S SENATE BILL 429 WILL ESTABLISH NATION’S FIRST WILDFIRE CATASTROPHE PUBLIC MODEL

SAN JOSE, CA –California State Senator Dave Cortese (D-San Jose) will host a press conference highlighting the successful passage of his Senate Bill 429 (SB 429) this past year. The press conference will be held in front of CAL FIRE’s Fire Hawk helicopter helipad. SB…
‘We feel alone’: L.A. fire survivors call for California’s insurance commissioner to resign
‘We feel alone’: L.A. fire survivors call for California’s insurance commissioner to resign

Survivors of the deadly Los Angeles County fires, some of whom have been unable to rebuild because their insurance claims have been delayed or denied, are calling for California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara to resign. Lara, a former state lawmaker, has one year left in…
Rep. Carter Introduces Bill to Retroactively Restore Flood Insurance Coverage and Retain Current Rates for Policyholders Impacted by Republican Shutdown
Rep. Carter Introduces Bill to Retroactively Restore Flood Insurance Coverage and Retain Current Rates for Policyholders Impacted by Republican Shutdown

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA) and Congressman Mike Ezell (R-MS), introduced H.R. 5848, theNFIP Retroactive Renewal and Reauthorization Act, legislation to backdate reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to September 30, 2025, while extending the program’s authorization until…
Work to reduce fire insurance costs ongoing, advocates say
Work to reduce fire insurance costs ongoing, advocates say

Fire insurance is a huge pain point for foothills residents, who love their quiet mountain homes but are struggling with the cost to protect them from one of the area’s greatest threats. That frustration was evident among the nearly 200 people who came to Conifer…
BUT IT’S NOT FAIR!
BUT IT’S NOT FAIR!

California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara wants to get you off the FAIR plan as soon as possible. His goal is to bring traditional fire insurance companies back to the California market, making these plans affordable and accessible, he said in an online public town hall…
As disaster losses mount, US insurers continue betting on adaptation
As disaster losses mount, US insurers continue betting on adaptation

A landmark Californian bill that could have shifted some wildfire costs on to oil and gas producers was quietly killed in committee Californian governor Gavin Newsom this month signed a package of bills to help with wildfire recovery and prevention in the wake of the…
These Oakland condos are a dream, but the insurance is a nightmare
These Oakland condos are a dream, but the insurance is a nightmare

When a home abruptly loses hundreds of thousands of dollars of value in the supply-constrained Bay Area, the immediate suspicion is that it has some serious defects. But in the case of the Parkwoods condo complex, there isn’t anything structurally wrong. The 400-unit community in…
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…
Homeowners Are Facing an Insurance Crisis. CR Thinks These 9 Basic Rights Could Help.
Homeowners Are Facing an Insurance Crisis. CR Thinks These 9 Basic Rights Could Help.

Consumer advocates propose a bill of rights. Plus, expert tips on how to protect yourself and your home in the meantime. Melissa Hudson says she was stunned last year when the insurance premiums on her home in Port Orchard, Wash., shot up 40 percent—even though…
Calwood Fire ~ 5 Years Later
Calwood Fire ~ 5 Years Later

As we take a moment to mark the 5 year anniversary of the 2020 Cameron Peak, Calwood, Lefthand Canyon, and East Troublesome Fires, we take a look back at one wildfire survivor’s journey home.  Here is Kevin’s story, in his own words: “I have been…
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…
New California laws aim to stabilize state’s wildfire insurance market
New California laws aim to stabilize state’s wildfire insurance market

The recent rains may have lowered the threat of wildfire in the area, but the problem of maintaining fire insurance is a year-round problem for many in California. As a result, a number of new laws have just been adopted that aim to stabilize the…
US insurers using drones to inspect homes without owners knowing — even canceling polices. What can you do?
US insurers using drones to inspect homes without owners knowing — even canceling polices. What can you do?

Your homeowners’ insurance is just that — your peace of mind should something go catastrophically wrong at home. It’s typically not something you expect to be hassled with, nor do you wish to be threatened with policy cancellation over trivial matters. So when a Massachusetts…
For private flood insurance companies, the government shutdown is good for business
For private flood insurance companies, the government shutdown is good for business

Among those feeling the pain of the government shutdown are people in coastal areas and other locations where they need flood insurance. The government-backed National Flood Insurance Program stopped writing new policies on Oct. 1 and can’t resume until it’s reauthorized by Congress. That may…