Governor Polis Announces New Tool to Help Coloradans Navigate Life After Disaster
Governor Jared Polis unveiled the Colorado Disaster Recovery Navigation Tool, an online platform that offers step‑by‑step guidance, a searchable resource database, and best‑practice advice for homeowners, renters, small businesses, and agricultural producers after natural disasters. The tool consolidates state, federal and nonprofit assistance—including FEMA aid, insurance support, and debris‑removal services—into a single, 24/7 accessible site with customizable checklists for each recovery phase. Launched alongside Colorado’s Strategic Wildfire Action Programs and the 2026 Wildfire Outlook, the initiative reflects the state’s expanding climate‑resilience agenda. Officials say the portal will speed recovery, reduce confusion, and help communities bounce back faster.
State Farm Fined by California Regulators over Wildfire Claim Violations
California’s Department of Insurance fined State Farm, the nation’s largest home insurer, for 432 violations of the Unfair Insurance Claims Practices Act tied to wildfire claims. An audit revealed delays, poor assessments, underpayments and “adjuster roulette” in roughly half of...
Insurance Companies Using Drones to Jack Rates, Cancel Policies: 5 Ways to Fight Back
A coalition of large insurers, organized through the Geospatial Insurance Consortium, has photographed roughly 99% of U.S. homes using drones, aircraft and high‑altitude balloons. The aerial data feed AI models that flag minor conditions—such as roof moss, a backyard trampoline...
Indiana Court Rules Watercraft Exclusion Bars Superfund Coverage for Barge Company
An Indiana Court of Appeals ruled that a watercraft exclusion in excess liability policies bars coverage for EPA Superfund cleanup costs tied to a CERCLA claim. The court held that the phrase “liability arising out of” applies to strict‑liability liability,...
USAA, State Farm Win as Court Narrows Cooperation Statute Scope
The Colorado Supreme Court issued a 6‑1 opinion that narrows the reach of the state’s failure‑to‑cooperate statute. The court held that the statute’s notice‑and‑cure requirements apply only to general cooperation clauses, not to specific conditions‑precedent such as medical‑release authorizations. It...
In Support of Insurance Reform in Hawaii
United Policyholders testified before Hawaii legislators supporting Senate Bill 2964, which aims to curb widespread homeowner underinsurance revealed after the Maui wildfires. The bill does not mandate higher coverage levels but requires insurers to provide clear, up‑to‑date cost estimates for...
Short Term Gain, Long Term Pain
United Policyholders warns that the Federal Housing Finance Agency has weakened a long‑standing rule requiring replacement‑cost value (RCV) insurance for roofs on homes backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The revised regulation now permits only actual cash value (ACV)...
Insurance Reform in Hawaii
United Policyholders helped draft a suite of six insurance reform bills for Hawaii after the 2023 Maui wildfires revealed systemic gaps in coverage. The legislation extends replacement‑cost and additional‑living‑expense timelines, mandates transparent mortgage‑proceeds handling, and eliminates inventory requirements for personal‑property...