People Power
People Power

Helping people get a fair deal from their insurance company is the heart of United Policyholders’ mission. Our tips and tools include strategies for getting insurers to pay benefits quickly and be flexible where appropriate. Strategies based on our volunteers’ savvy and our staff’s expertise.…
Our nation’s flood resiliency imperative
Our nation’s flood resiliency imperative

Our non-profit’s mission is to inform and advocate for the interests of insurance consumers – policyholders.  When it comes to flood insurance, those interests are fairly simple: Access to affordable coverage for the damage that floods do to property Policies that pay on time to repair that…
Home insurance? Use it and you may lose it
Home insurance? Use it and you may lose it

Millions of homeowners battered by hurricanes, tossed about by tornadoes or scorched by statewide wildfires this disaster-filled record year have filed insurance claims for the damage done. And it could wind up totaling $150 billion or more. But now there’s a dire warning from a…
Nonprofit Backs Office Depot In False Claims Coverage Row
Nonprofit Backs Office Depot In False Claims Coverage Row

A nonprofit policyholder group has urged the Ninth Circuit to revive a coverage dispute between Office Depot and a unit of AIG, arguing that the lower court ruling could drastically curtail coverage in California False Claims Act cases. U.S. District Judge Stephen V. Wilson had…
Flood insurance reforms split Congress, and Louisiana lawmakers, as Dec. 8 expiration looms
Flood insurance reforms split Congress, and Louisiana lawmakers, as Dec. 8 expiration looms
Roadmap to Recovery Workshop – Santa Rosa: Wednesday, 11/15/17
Roadmap to Recovery Workshop – Santa Rosa: Wednesday, 11/15/17

Workshop Topic: Navigating the “Contents” portion of your claim United Policyholders is hosting its third Roadmap to Recovery workshop in Santa Rosa for North Bay wildfire survivors in partnership with Jewish Family and Children’s Services.  The workshop will start at 6PM and will be right down the street…
Insurance gap may leave fire victims on the hook for millions
Insurance gap may leave fire victims on the hook for millions

SANTA ROSA, Calif. KTVU) – Some North Bay Fire victims may find their homes underinsured by hundreds of thousands of dollars. It’s a big surprise that is not uncommon after disasters. In recent years, state insurance regulators have taken action to minimize the issue. “I…
Some under-insured North Bay fire victims in for a shock
Some under-insured North Bay fire victims in for a shock

SANTA ROSA, Calif. KGO) — Fire victims working to start the rebuilding process may be in for a shock. After running the numbers, some homeowners are finding they are under-insured. Residents in hazmat suits are searching through rubble, taking photos of what’s left after the…
Floods: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)
Floods: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)
Debris Removal Decisions for 2017 North Bay Wildfire Survivors
Debris Removal Decisions for 2017 North Bay Wildfire Survivors

Clearing wildfire debris is the responsibility of each individual property owner.  Help is available to get the work done safely, completely, and legally.  For your and your neighbor’s protection, wildfire debris must be removed from your property and disposed of properly. Items such as retaining…
Roadmap to Recovery Report
Roadmap to Recovery Report

The scale of the devastation from the recent Northern California wildfires is just as mind-boggling as the number of homes, businesses, and lives that were impacted by hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria just a few months ago. All we can do is all we can…
Liz Weston: 4 Steps to Disaster-Proof Your Finances
Liz Weston: 4 Steps to Disaster-Proof Your Finances

Mother Nature could be excused if she wondered, “How much more prompting do you people need?” This year delivered epic wildfires, devastating hurricanes, massive floods and some pretty horrific earthquakes. Yet many people still haven’t taken a few critical steps to protect their financial lives…
Private Client Wildfire Protection
Private Client Wildfire Protection

Recent media coverage has spotlighted the handful of insurance companies that offer “private fire protection” to clients who can afford the cost.  AIG was the first on the block and several others have followed suit.  The recent North Bay wildfires will generate new data on how effective this special protection…
Have questions about fire insurance? Check out the meeting on Weds.
Have questions about fire insurance? Check out the meeting on Weds.

MENDOCINO CO., 11/07/17 — Confused about how to handle questions about insurance and the recent fire? Mendocino County is holding a meeting to provide information on insurance issues for people who are rebuilding their homes in the wake of the recent fires. The meeting will…
Politics and Policyholders
Politics and Policyholders

United Policyholders is a 501(c)(3) public benefit corporation, which means we can’t endorse or oppose candidates for public office.  But without a doubt – the outcomes of elections impact our work in many ways:  Partisan elected officials choose the judges that preside over insurance matters.…
Rebuilding After a Disaster? Don’t Let These Insurance Surprises Slow You Down
Rebuilding After a Disaster? Don’t Let These Insurance Surprises Slow You Down

Prevent payout delays with these smart and simple moves The October wildfires in California wine country destroyed more than 7,200 homes and other buildings, according to the latest estimate by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Now, as wildfire victims begin the long…
Who cleans up wildfire debris: Private contractors or the government?
Who cleans up wildfire debris: Private contractors or the government?

SANTA ROSA, Calif. Debora Villalon/KTVU – Progress is being made in North Bay fire recovery, as thousands of scorched properties have been cleared of household hazardous waste. But the next, more complex step, is debris removal, a much thornier issue for homeowners. “No one knows…
Roadmap to Recovery Workshop – Santa Rosa: 11/1/17
Roadmap to Recovery Workshop – Santa Rosa: 11/1/17

Workshop Topic: Navigating the “Dwelling” portion of your claim United Policyholders is hosting its second Roadmap to Recovery workshop in Santa Rosa for North Bay wildfire survivors in partnership with Jewish Family and Children’s Services.  The workshop will start at 6PM and will be right down the street…