In the Pacific Northwest, natural geologic catastrophes may be placed into five categories: floods, fires, landslides, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions. All five of these catastrophes have occurred in Oregon within the past century. Quite often the effect of two or more events occurring simultaneously greatly accentuates the destructiveness of the episode. Floods are more often…
KOIN News: Oregon Insurers: Fraud Exempt or Accountable?
This is KOIN I-Team Investigation’s special report on UTPA/insurance exemption – highlighting Oregon consumers harmed by insurance misconduct. Attorney Fred Millard and a client from our firm went down to Salem to testify before the house committee earlier this year. We support HB 3160-A because insurance companies should be accountable to reasonable standards of conduct…
Unlawful Trade Act for Insurers Heads to House Floor
Key Republican Rep. Dennis Richardson backs the bill sponsored by Democratic Rep. Paul Holvey, saying current law does not do enough to protect consumers By: Christopher David Gray March 27, 2013 — A measure that would remove the insurance industry’s special exemption from the Unlawful Trade Practices Act cleared the House Consumer Protection and Government Efficiency…
What You Need to Know About Your Homeowners Insurance Policy
When you purchase a home it is standard procedure, and in some cases required by lenders that you take out a homeowner’s insurance policy to protect your home, its contents, and your assets should you experience a loss in the event of a fire, flood, theft, accident or natural disaster. Standard policies will protect against…
Shields and Holvey Want Unlawful Trade Act to Cover Insurers
The powerful insurance industry is currently the only business in Oregon exempt from the act. Proposed legislation would remove that exemption and allow the Attorney General and injured parties to sue for fraud. By: Christopher David Gray March 18, 2013 — Sen. Chip Shields, D-Portland and Rep. Paul Holvey, D-Eugene, rolled out legislation last week…
Settling a Fire Damage and Property Loss Insurance Claim
Why You Need An Attorney to Help You Navigate There are many times in your life where you may think to yourself, Do I need an Attorney? The answer should always be, maybe. Going through the circumstances of the case, what it is you are trying to accomplish and what is at stake with an…
A Policyholder’s Obligations
A Policyholder’s Obligations What you need to know after suffering a loss Often times, we are asked what obligations an insurance company has to its policyholders. What people seldom ask and should know, is what obligations they have as policyholders, to insure their claim is not denied. When dealing with insurance claims, it is important…
Suffering a Loss – Are You Getting All the Claims Benefits You Paid For?
Suffering A Loss – Are You Getting All the Claims Benefits You Paid For? The biggest mistake most policyholders make after suffering a loss is relying on their insurance company to conduct a full, unbiased, and thorough investigation of their claim. Insurance companies have an advantage over their policyholders. Insurance companies handle every claim they…
Who Does Your Building Contractor Work For?
Who Does Your Contractor Work For? You or Your Insurance Company? Often times, your insurance company will invite a contractor to come visit the site of your loss. In doing so, the insurance company may rely on that contractor to prepare an estimate to repair the loss. It might even be suggested that you hire that…
Why You Need Our Help Insurance Attorneys Vs. Public Adjusters – Part 2
Why You Need Our Help Insurance Attorneys Vs. Public Adjusters – Part 2 Because of the PA’s inability to practice law, they have no leverage should the insurance company not act in good faith. This inability to practice law potentially leads to much lower insurance proceeds as public adjusters scramble to accept deals that will…
