“I don't know how we would have found answers or how to begin if they had not coached us through the process.”
UP in the News
June 10, 2010
As Tropical Storm Ida works its way north, it's a good reminder to
check your homeowners insurance and make sure you have the proper
coverage. After all, you don't want to end up like Daniel Zwerdling and
Barbara Zwerdling-Rothschild.
On a stormy night six years ago, Hurricane Isabel was rampaging up the
Eastern Seaboard. The Zwerdling-Rothschilds had retreated to the first
floor of their 100-...
June 10, 2010
ESCONDIDO — Standing in front of an Escondido home
that rose from the ashes of the 2007 wildfires, California Insurance
Commissioner Steve Poizner said yesterday that the pain of post-fire
recovery and rebuilding has finally ended for most of the victims.
Poizner, who is running for governor, said 99 percent of the 40,000
insurance claims filed by homeowners whose houses burned down or were...
June 9, 2010
With the news media filled with stories lately about
natural disasters like earthquakes, hurricanes and wildfires, many
consumers may be wondering when to purchase additional insurance to
protect their homes from Mother Nature. My husband and I certainly have
been concerned with the topic since moving to California this year.
Here’s a look at how to determine if your home needs extra insurance...
June 9, 2010
Just one third have rebuilt; one half submitted plans for reconstruction
Two years after the 2007 firestorm, the path to recovery continues to be slow and arduous for hundreds of San Diego County residents who lost their homes.
Only one-third have finished rebuilding. And nearly half have not submitted any construction plans, according to local building and planning officials.
Fire...
June 9, 2010
Bill Clingan was around when the Loma Prieta earthquake sucker-punched
the Bay Area 20 years ago.
His Walnut Creek home suffered no damage, which is why he feels
comfortable today not having earthquake insurance.
"It's very expensive. Deductibles are high. It's just not worth it,"
said Clingan, a retiree who worked in the chemical marketing industry.
"For what you get it's not cost effective."...
As posted at:
June 9, 2010
A Coast policyholder is appealing to the state Supreme Court for access
to Mississippi Insurance Department records that would show the dollar
amount of Katrina claims denied by insurance companies.
Long Beach policyholder Kevin Buckel filed a written request in January
2009 for records showing the total amount of damages homeowners claimed,
the total amount paid and the total amount denied by...
As posted at:
June 9, 2010
Some residents of areas burned by the Station
fire are buying flood policies on top of fire and earthquake plans,
hoping that at least one will accept mudslide damage claims.
Charred slopes in the foothills towering above William Johnson's
La Cañada Flintridge home are now a mudslide in the making after being
burned by recent wildfires.
But getting insurance has been impossible for him and...
June 9, 2010
Contact your insurance agent to determine what exactly your current homeowner insurance policies cover and whether they're up to date, then assess whether flood insurance is necessary.
If you need flood insurance, act fast. Policies usually go into effect 30 days after purchase, and the winter rainy season is not far away.
Ask whether your insurer participates in the National Flood...
As posted at:
June 9, 2010
The wildfire survivor profiled in this Orange County Register
article has been attending United Policyholders’ Roadmap to Recovery
meetings and was pictured in our spring newsletter receiving her copy of
the Disaster Recovery Handbook and Household Inventory Guide.
Readers mourned and complained when we ended Teryl Zarnow's family
column. Many of us shared her experiences as our children grew...
As posted at: