 |
 |
 |
March 2009
Highlights of this issue:
A hearty thanks to all our sponsors, our donors and our outstanding volunteers.
Warm regards,
Amy Bach
Executive Director
TIP OF THE MONTH
.
Know Thy Risks
Californians: Visit the California Emergency Management Agency website and type in your address to find out about the natural disaster risk levels at your specific location. The agency also offers info on steps you can take to protect your home and belongings and minimize the likelihood of major damage.
U.S. residents outside California can enter a residence or business address at the FEMA website to find out what the flood level risk is at that location and get tips on avoiding and minimizing damage from weather and seismic related events. Click here to learn more. |
|
|
"It is my pleasure to support such a valuable and compassionate organization that is doing more than any other to help disaster victims . . . Thank you."
- Nancy Walery, 2007 firestorm survivor
Consider This:
There's no time like the present for inventorying the contents of your home and office. For a limited time, UP will send you an easy-to-use home inventory aid/flash drive when you make a donation of $10 or more and send an email request to lucien@uphelp.org with "flashdrive" in the subject line.
Need a professional claim adjuster on your side? Visit our "Find Help" section.
|
|
|
1. LIFE - HEALTH - DISABILITY |
| |
UP Sponsor
Arnie Levinson
Putting an ERISA fix on the D.C. "to do" list
Some have characterized ERISA as "Everything Rotten Invented Since Adam." The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 was originally intended to protect employees and their beneficiaries, but has subsequently shielded the interests of insurance companies. ERISA has been wrongfully interpreted to eradicate all state remedies for an insured's right to sue for wrongful denial of a health, disability or life claim. It also denies the insured the right to a jury trial, and protects insurance companies from liability for unfair claim decisions. UP Sponsor Arnie Levinson outlines the history of the statute, illustrates the tragic consequences on the lives of real people, and offers solutions. To read his complete article, click here.
Back to top
|
|
2. PROPERTY - HOMEOWNER - BUSINESS |
| |
Making the most of mediation, a favored process for settling insurance disputes
Photo Credit:
Yanik Chauvin
A mediation should be an informal, non-binding settlement negotiation orchestrated by a trained professional who has no personal or financial stake in the outcome. Mediation has become enormously popular in recent years and courts and state insurance departments are expanding programs to encourage litigants to enter into mediation. Mediation can be an efficient and cost-effective way of ending a claim or coverage dispute, but it can also be a frustrating waste of time and/or detrimental to the policyholders' position if it is not conducted fairly.
United Policyholders' free publication A Policyholder's Guide to Mediating Insurance Claim Disputes is available on our website. Former insurance defense lawyer-turned-plaintiff's lawyer Guy Kornblum suggests that lawyers must recognize the benefits of mediation and steer their clients in that direction, disregarding any personal economic motive. Read his article here.
Back to top
|
|
3. AUTO |
| |
 Photo Credit:
Peter Anderson
"Pay-As-You-Drive" auto insurance gains traction
Climate change is a problem that affects us all, and one we would all like to solve. It is widely known that burning gasoline leads to the increase of greenhouse gases, one of the leading causes of global warming. Considering this, and also the recent price fluctuations in global oil prices, as well as the high cost of auto insurance, wouldn't it make sense to create a real, viable incentive that would discourage people from driving? Giving people a break on their auto insurance if they drive fewer miles per year should encourage them to change their driving habits. Click here to read more about this concept.
Back to top
|
|
4. CASES - AMICUS |
| |
California Consumer
Attorney Sharon J. Arkin
Amicus project update
UP scores wins for business policyholders in Wisconsin and for California insurance consumers. Click here to read an update and summaries of some of the briefs that UP has filed since our last newsletter.
| Please click here to support UP's Amicus Project today with a financial contribution. We need your help to continue this important work and maintain our efficient balance of using mostly donated labor and limited paid staff to run our Advocacy/Amicus Project program. |
Back to top
|
|
5. DISASTER RELIEF |
| |
UP Outreach Coordinator
Karen Reimus
Ongoing support to Southern California wildfire survivors, reaching out in Australia, remembering Dean Luvisa, a UP Disaster Recovery Mentor, and an important tax tip for 2008 Federally-declared disaster survivors. Click here to read the full article.
Back to top
|
|
6. VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT |
| |
UP Volunteer
Jan Rasmussen
Our organization has amazing volunteers. In this and future issues, we will be shining a spotlight on just a few of the many outstanding members of the United Policyholders family. This month we feature Jan Rasmussen and David Shalinsky, who have been helping lead the recovery effort in the San Diego community of Rancho Bernardo, which was devastated by the Witch Creek wildfire in late 2007. Click here to read about how these volunteers are helping UP!
Back to top
|
|
7. BACH TALK |
| |
UP Executive Director
Amy Bach
Read cutting edge news and views from a 20-year veteran of insurance politics. Amy Bach reports on how the current financial crisis is affecting private insurers, government's increasing role in insuring properties, and a valuable book about the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case that has given insurers more freedom to defraud policyholders without fear of being hit with punitive damage awards. Click here to read her column.
Back to top
|
|
PLEASE NOTE
United Policyholders neither sells nor profits from the sale of insurance. The information provided in this newsletter is a public service to our readers. We do not warrant the quality of any product or vendor identified in this newsletter.
|
|
|
|