United Policyholders has taken prompt action to provide post-disaster recovery aid to victims of the June, 2007 Angora wildfire in the South Lake Tahoe basin:

Distributing free copies of our Disaster Recovery Handbook and Household Inventory Guide in South Lake Tahoe. VICTIMS ONLY: If you are a victim of the recent fire and want a copy, please email your name and mailing address to info@unitedpolicyholders.org or leave a message at (510) 763-9740. .

Thanks to generous donors, including the L.A. based Community Partners, Chase International Real Estate Co., and many individuals who lost homes in the 2003 Cedar fire in San Diego, United Policyholders is progressing toward our goal of donating a free copy of the handbook to every single person who lost a home.

Matching up Angora victims with volunteer mentors who've navigated their own road to recovery from previous fires. If you lost your home in the recent fire and want to be matched up with a mentor/buddy from a prior fire, email your contact information and insurance company name to: Karen Reimus; Karen@unitedpolicyholders.org, or Amy Bach, amy@unitedpolicyholders.org

Coordinating with other non-profits, Tahoe area associations and businesses and elected officials to funnel useful information and support to the victims

Planning meetings and outreach activities in the impacted region during the coming year

Publicizing the free tips and information at our website, www.unitedpolicyholders.org, including:

Fire Insurance Claim Tips for California Residents: Easy to read and follow advice plus tax and rebuilding tips from veterans of prior disasters.

http://www.unitedpolicyholders.org/claimtips/tip_fireca.html

California Road Map to Recovery: "Road tested" recovery information and advice for individuals and communities: http://www.unitedpolicyholders.org/disaster/tip_recovery.html#CA

United Policyholders is helping coordinate relief efforts in anticipation of the insurance problems that typically plague disaster survivors: agonizing delays lowball estimates and low settlement offers, inadequate coverage, surprise exclusions, rotating adjusters and emotionally draining, time-consuming proof requirements.

"Private insurance is the key to recovery, but many people find that the insurance claim process is actually a second disaster, and we're working to change that", said UP Executive Director Amy Bach. "Based on our many years of experience with large scale natural disasters -- we know that if we get good information to people up front, they won't be victimized twice."

"If you've lost your home, the most important thing is to recognize is you are in shock and should not make hasty financial decisions, especially if prompted to do so by an insurance company or adjuster," Bach continued. "Help is available, recovery takes longer than you think, but you must be prepared to stand up for your rights."

UP will continue to work with elected officials and local organizations to distribute free copies to those who lost homes in the South Lake Tahoe Basin. of its guide to recovering from a natural disaster. The book includes several chapters authored by disaster survivors — "Our goal is get this book into the hands of everyone who suffered a major loss," said Bach.

The book, Disaster Recovery Handbook and Household Inventory Guide (How to Recount and Recover from Your Losses after a Fire, Flood, Earthquake, Hurricane, or Tornado) offers advice from previous disaster survivors as well as personal finance and insurance experts. It contains recovery tips, tax advice and step-by-step guidelines for dealing with insurance companies to help victims receive an optimal claim recovery. It also provides detailed lists of items commonly found in households and tips for reconstructing the contents of a destroyed home.

Two United Policyholders donors each contributed $500 to fund distribution of the free copies of the handbook to homeowners who lost their homes. UP urges all homeowners to prepare for disasters before they happen. Single and quantity discounted copies of the book can be purchased through a link at the UP website, www.unitedpolicyholders.org The site offers an array of information for consumers pertaining to insurance, including free fire claim and buying tips for California residents.