Insurance companies dropping homeowners in Nevada County
Insurance companies dropping homeowners in Nevada County

Ted Peach, a Nevada County resident who lives on Banner Mountain, said the rate for his home insurance policy recently went up from $1,200 to $3,800. “The house has cementboard siding, metal roof, ironwood deck and has very good vegetation clearance,” he said. “Our rates…
House Committee Adds 5 More Bills to Its Flood Insurance Reform Package
House Committee Adds 5 More Bills to Its Flood Insurance Reform Package

The House Financial Services Committee advanced five flood insurance proposals on Wednesday, adding to the two bills it passed last week. The House measures seek to reform and reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which is set to expire on September 30, for five…
Insurance Cases To Watch In The 2nd Half Of 2017
Insurance Cases To Watch In The 2nd Half Of 2017

Courts around the country will have their hands full with key insurance issues over the next six months, with the California Supreme Court considering whether a company’s negligent supervision of an employee is an accidental occurrence and the New York high court weighing the scope…
Your CLUE report could save you money on auto and home owners insurance
Your CLUE report could save you money on auto and home owners insurance

If your car is in an accident, or your house is damaged in a storm, the insurance claims you file will wind up in your CLUE report. The trouble is most people have never heard of a CLUE report, even though the data in it…
The Biggest Insurance Rulings Of 2017: Midyear Report
The Biggest Insurance Rulings Of 2017: Midyear Report

The first half of 2017 was rife with major insurance law rulings, with the Texas Supreme Court issuing key guidance on the requirements for maintaining statutory claims against insurers for deceptive practices, and with Washington’s high court limiting policyholders’ ability to sue for bad faith…
House Committee Advances 2 Flood Insurance Bills; More to Come
House Committee Advances 2 Flood Insurance Bills; More to Come

The House Financial Services Committee on Thursday passed two bills to reform the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). One is a broad reform proposal that seeks to encourage more private insurance and move the program toward actuarial-based rates, while the other addresses premium credits for…
A Bipartisan Plan for Flood Insurance
A Bipartisan Plan for Flood Insurance

Six U.S. senators agree to fix the troubled federal program. Powerful floods devastate communities across America every year. After these catastrophic natural disasters, too many Americans find themselves facing a man-made calamity: a National Flood Insurance Program that overcharges and underdelivers for policyholders and for…
Will private insurers rescue leaking flood insurance program – or drown it?
Will private insurers rescue leaking flood insurance program – or drown it?

Privatizing federal programs is a mantra of President Trump and the Republican-controlled Congress. The National Flood Insurance Program NFIP) — up for renewal at the end of September — is a perfect target. Already in debt to the tune of $25 billion, plagued by scandals,…
Meet Your New Claims Inspector: A Drone
Meet Your New Claims Inspector: A Drone

After an April windstorm tore roof shingles off his house, Nick Ragone of Rochester, New York, figured it would be a routine claim process. But then his insurance company asked if it could use a new tool to inspect the damage. Instead of a ladder,…
Flood Program Reauthorization: Why Congress Must Act
Flood Program Reauthorization: Why Congress Must Act

As the clock ticks down toward expiration of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), the task ahead is clear. Congress must pass an on-time, multi-year reauthorization bill that simplifies the overly complicated NFIP, improves its financial stability and encourages private flood insurance before the NFIP…
NFIP extension pitch draws praise and concern
NFIP extension pitch draws praise and concern

A draft proposal floated by two U.S. senators to extend the National Flood Insurance Program for 10 years is drawing some initial positive feedback, but stakeholders caution that some provisions are potential causes for concern. The draft legislation released by Bill Cassidy, R-La., and Kirsten…
Lawmakers To FEMA: Flood Plan Overhaul Is ‘Too Little, Too Late’
Lawmakers To FEMA: Flood Plan Overhaul Is ‘Too Little, Too Late’

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is making sweeping reforms to the nation’s flood insurance program in the wake of a series of critical reports on NPR and the PBS series Frontline. But lawmakers say this isn’t enough when private insurance companies are profiting millions of…
The Ultimate Guide to Home Insurance for Dog Owners
The Ultimate Guide to Home Insurance for Dog Owners

Shopping for home insurance can be a challenge if you have a dog–especially if its breed is seen as dangerous. This guide will help you get a policy and affordable rate) regardless. Sixty-five percent of US households have a pet, according to the 2015-2016 National…
The “Catch UP” webinar series: Successfully mediating insurance cases
The “Catch UP” webinar series: Successfully mediating insurance cases

The fourth installment of Catch UP was a success! Catch UP on how to successfully mediate insurance cases.  Registration fees support our non-profit’s important work empowering the insured.  A recording of the webinar is available for purchase at www.uphelp.org/catchup.  The one-hour long segment of Catch UP, hosted…
Court rejects FAIR Plan’s policy of reduced insurance payments for homeowners in lower income neighborhoods
Court rejects FAIR Plan’s policy of reduced insurance payments for homeowners in lower income neighborhoods

FAIR Plan said the cost of repairing the lower income fire-damaged home wasn’t required, even though similar loss in a wealthy neighborhood would be covered. On Friday, May 26, homeowner Marlene Garnes won a legal victory against California FAIR Plan Association FAIR) when the California…
Don’t Be Blown Away By Your Hurricane Deductible
Don’t Be Blown Away By Your Hurricane Deductible

Hurricane season is fast approaching, but don’t be too focused on the official June 1 start date. This year, late April saw Arlene, the first named tropical storm of the season. Coastal storms are always unpredictable so it’s smart to get your homeowners insurance in…
Tried and true may be best for you
Tried and true may be best for you

Does the idea of skipping the traditional blood and urine test to buy life insurance appeal to you? Some life insurers are using “big data” tools to size you up and price your policy instead of tried and true underwriting based on medical tests. The…
Insured homeowner owed full cost of repairs, appeals court rules
Insured homeowner owed full cost of repairs, appeals court rules

An insured homeowner whose home has been badly damaged is entitled to coverage for the cost of repairs, even if those far exceed the property’s market value, a state appeals court has ruled. Reversing a Contra Costa County judge’s decision, the First District Court of…