Proposed insurance rules would give property owners access to wildfire risk score
Proposed insurance rules would give property owners access to wildfire risk score

Under new rules proposed by California’s insurance commissioner, home and business owners will have open access to their wildfire risk scores that companies use to determine rates and renew coverage. Commissioner Ricardo Lara said he has heard the frustration and confusion from residents over how…
Insurance claims skyrocket as pipes burst from winter storm
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…
Now That The Winter Storm Has Passed, It’s Time To Start Filing Insurance Claims
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…
Insurance claims pile up after Texas’ devastating winter storm
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…
Commissioner Lara proposes new transparency rules to help consumers better prepare for wildfires
Commissioner Lara proposes new transparency rules to help consumers better prepare for wildfires

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – After hearing from many Californians about their frustration and confusion over how insurance companies rate properties for wildfire risk, on Tuesday State Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara proposed new rules to give homeowners and businesses open access to their properties’ wildfire risk…
Step away from the blowtorch…
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…
First theft claim in 20 years leads to policy cancellation in what consumer groups call ‘use and lose’
First theft claim in 20 years leads to policy cancellation in what consumer groups call ‘use and lose’

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) — An untold number of Californians lost their fire insurance due to increased wild fire risk in recent years. Now there’s yet another reason to lose your insurance, and it has nothing to do with climate change. Layla Dreyer loves to…
Filing an Insurance Claim for Texas Storm Damage? Payouts Hinge on Policy Details
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…
“Hardening” Homes Against Wildfires In California Has Been An Uphill Battle
“Hardening” Homes Against Wildfires In California Has Been An Uphill Battle

Hardening your home against wildfires is a necessity if you live in a state like California. Over the past four years, dark clouds of ash and smoke from hundreds of out-of-control blazes have blanketed the Golden State. “Every year we make records in terms of…
California seeks to establish new fire-safe standards for homes, insurers
California seeks to establish new fire-safe standards for homes, insurers

California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara on Monday announced an effort to establish home-hardening standards that could protect participating homeowners from canceled policies and soaring rates while providing a mechanism to encourage fire-safe retrofits that could save lives and property. The effort, which will begin this month with…
Few California court wins for pandemic business-interruption claims
Few California court wins for pandemic business-interruption claims

As North Coast businesses grapple with insurance claims from the 2020 wildfires on top of ongoing issues with coverage for the coronavirus lockdowns of a number of economic activities, a major advocate for policyholders said those types of losses differ but they’re connected by promises…
Why Your Education and Job Could Mean You’re Paying Too Much for Car Insurance
Why Your Education and Job Could Mean You’re Paying Too Much for Car Insurance

Cuqui Rivera bought car insurance from Liberty Mutual for almost a decade before she started shopping around for a cheaper policy in December. She hadn’t planned to look elsewhere—she liked the customer service at Liberty—until she heard something that made her think again: An acquaintance…
Why You Should Consider Flood Insurance Even if You Don’t Live in a Flood Zone
Why You Should Consider Flood Insurance Even if You Don’t Live in a Flood Zone

Most homeowners who carry flood insurance have little choice in the matter; they live in a high-risk area where their mortgage lender requires coverage. But flood protection is worth a look even if your bank doesn’t demand you have it. The insurance industry sees the…
High Car Insurance Rates? Bad Credit May Be to Blame
High Car Insurance Rates? Bad Credit May Be to Blame

If you can’t afford to pay all your bills right now, the last thing you need is overpriced car insurance. But that’s exactly what can happen if your credit dips low enough (and you live in a state where insurers can charge you more for…
Life (insurance) Lessons
Life (insurance) Lessons

Pandemic-related layoffs, furloughs and business closures have forced many Americans to tap retirement accounts and cut non-essential expenses to get by. If you’re experiencing financial hardship but don’t want your auto, home or life insurance to lapse, check the website of the agency that oversees…
Speakers describe farm disaster recovery strategies
Speakers describe farm disaster recovery strategies

Business owners hit by wildfires and the COVID-19 pandemic have a range of financial options to explore, along with worries over insurance claims. These were covered in detail in a virtual workshop held last week by the Napa County Farm Bureau in cooperation with California…
Buying homeowners insurance? Ask these 4 questions first
Buying homeowners insurance? Ask these 4 questions first

Purchasing insurance may not be as fun as choosing new furniture and paint colors, but it’s a critical part of the homebuying process. Your homeowners insurance policy is a financial safety net in case of a disaster, so you’ll want to ask a few important…
Insurance questions following Colorado’s devastating wildfires? There’s a nonprofit that can help
Insurance questions following Colorado’s devastating wildfires? There’s a nonprofit that can help

The nonprofit group United Policyholders is helping fire-affected residents in Grand, Boulder and Larimer counties navigate insurance claims to ensure they get the most out of their policies. “We will walk them through their policy and teach them how to work with their insurance company…