FEMA mulls overhaul of flood insurance program amid claims of fraud, lack of oversight
FEMA mulls overhaul of flood insurance program amid claims of fraud, lack of oversight

Lawmakers and federal officials trying to overhaul the National Flood Insurance Program are considering dismantling a sprawling system that relies on more than 80 separate companies to sell policies, collect premiums and calculate damages after disasters. The move, in response to allegations that claims were…
UP suit seeks to fix the National Flood Insurance Program’s claim appeal process so it works for consumers
UP suit seeks to fix the National Flood Insurance Program’s claim appeal process so it works for consumers

In February 2015, UP filed a lawsuit in the Federal District Court in Washington D.C. to secure complete responses from the NFIP to the three Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”) requests we filed in 2014. Our FOIA requests seek details of the appeals process that is offered to policyholders when…
Support UP for Silicon Valley Gives!
Support UP for Silicon Valley Gives!

Who can you trust for help getting a fair deal from your insurance company?  An expert non-profit with 23 years of experience…a consumer organization that doesn’t take money from insurers or sell insurance?  That’s United Policyholders!   Please consider making a tax-deductible gift to support our work…
Louisiana Supreme Court to Insurers: “You can’t abandon your customers in their hour of need. You’re in the protection business”
Louisiana Supreme Court to Insurers: “You can’t abandon your customers in their hour of need. You’re in the protection business”

Good news for Louisiana insurance consumers came this week when the state’s highest court sided with them (and UP’s amicus brief) in Kelly v. State Farm on two important points: 1) A firm settlement offer is unnecessary for an insured to sustain a cause of action against…
Texas property owners – don’t be fooled by an anti-lawyer spin campaign on SB 1628
Texas property owners – don’t be fooled by an anti-lawyer spin campaign on SB 1628

If you own a business or home in the state of Texas, take a few minutes to make your voice heard in opposition to SB 1628 (Taylor).  This bill guts the law that protects a property owner’s rights to a fair insurance settlement where an insurer…
Proposal to restore integrity to the National Flood Insurance Program
Proposal to restore integrity to the National Flood Insurance Program

United Policyholders today called for Congress to require the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to give its policyholders access to their claim files, including copies of estimates, reports and any other documents. In the wake of testimony from homeowners and comments from lawmakers earlier this…
Property owners face important deadlines on second anniversary of wildfire
Property owners face important deadlines on second anniversary of wildfire

El Paso County, CO, April 29, 2015 – With the two year anniversary of the Black Forest Fire approaching El Paso County reminds property owners to keep in mind important insurance deadlines. “Residents impacted by the Black Forest Fire need to meet certain deadlines in…
Hurricane Sandy Judges Demand Clearing of Settlement Roadblocks
Hurricane Sandy Judges Demand Clearing of Settlement Roadblocks

Federal officials and flood insurance companies were chastised by a panel of New York judges for imposing delays on settlements with hundreds of Hurricane Sandy victims who alleged their claims were wrongfully denied or underpaid.Officials with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and lawyers for 25…
Building you UP – Roadmap to Preparedness UPdate
Building you UP – Roadmap to Preparedness UPdate

THRIVE-ing after a flood After a winter storm caused severe flooding south of San Francisco, UP answered evacuees’ insurance questions at a temporary shelter and help center in San Mateo, California. Several months later at an Enhancing Community Resilience Conference hosted by the THRIVE alliance…
Roadmap to Preparedness UPdate
Roadmap to Preparedness UPdate

THRIVE-ing after a flood After a winter storm caused severe flooding south of San Francisco, UP answered evacuees’ insurance questions at a temporary shelter and help center in San Mateo, California. Several months later at a Enhancing Community Resilience Conference hosted by the THRIVE alliance…
Bank’s offer of ‘free’ insurance is dubious way to appreciate customers
Bank’s offer of ‘free’ insurance is dubious way to appreciate customers

Sally Hwang recently spotted a payment of $8.10 on her checking account statement for accidental death and dismemberment insurance. Problem was, she had no recollection of signing up for such coverage. Worse, it appeared the Glendale resident had been making the payment every quarter for…
Insurances Companies To Use Facebook, Twitter Social Media Profiles To Set Rates
Insurances Companies To Use Facebook, Twitter Social Media Profiles To Set Rates
The stakes they gettin’ higher – Captive consumers are vulnerable consumers
The stakes they gettin’ higher – Captive consumers are vulnerable consumers

Insurance has always been a big deal to loss victims, disaster survivors, and needless to say, United Policyholders.  To the rest of the world…not so much. As to paying for insurance policies that are optional, consumers can just say no, not buying. End of story.…
No secrets: What insurers know about you and how they use your personal data
No secrets: What insurers know about you and how they use your personal data

Before they decide how much you have to pay for your auto insurance, carriers probe deep into your background to determine how likely you are to file claims. Most consumers would be surprised to learn how much personal information is available to insurers, says Amy…
Tampered Engineering Reports Only the Beginning for Sandy Victims
Tampered Engineering Reports Only the Beginning for Sandy Victims

As a general contractor who specializes in insurance repairs, Larry Steimel with Pequannock, NJ-based LA Design and Construction has had a front row seat to some of the problems people have had rebuilding their homes. The biggest hurdle after Sandy, he says, has been the…
AG lawsuit: State Farm enriched itself through Katrina homeowner program
AG lawsuit: State Farm enriched itself through Katrina homeowner program

Attorney General Jim Hood is suing State Farm Fire & Casualty Co. over millions of dollars he claims the state lost because the insurance company “maliciously” denied Hurricane Katrina claims for wind losses while the federally funded Homeowners Assistance Program picked up the tab.The lawsuit…
Will I really save on auto insurance as soon as I turn 25?
Will I really save on auto insurance as soon as I turn 25?

If you’re a driver under 25, you’ve probably heard of the money magic that’s supposed to happen when you reach the quarter-century milestone, such as being able to rent a car at a standard rate — without young-driver surcharges. Another big plus of hitting the…
Tips to avoid being ripped off when property is damaged by storms
Tips to avoid being ripped off when property is damaged by storms

SAGINAW, MI WNEM) -It’s severe weather season, so Angie’s List has put together some tips about how to avoid being ripped off if your property is damaged in the storm. 1. Avoid door-to-door solicitors Drifter companies often rush to disaster areas where widespread damage has…