Amy Bach: What every fire survivor needs to know about insurance claims

Written By Jan Brzeski

Amy Bach is a nationally recognized insurance consumer advocate and attorney who has been championing policyholders’ rights since 1985. She co-founded United Policyholders in 1991 and serves as its Executive Director and primary spokesperson, leading programs such as Roadmap to Recovery™, Roadmap to Preparedness, and Advocacy and Action to help individuals navigate insurance and disaster recovery. Amy is an expert on insurance claims, coverage, law, and public policy, currently serving her second term on the Federal Advisory Committee on Insurance and as an official Consumer Representative to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. She also sits on the Fire Victim Trust Oversight Committee and the Redwood Credit Union Services Group Associate Board, and is widely featured in national media. An accomplished author, her works include The Disaster Recovery Handbook and WISE UP: The Savvy Consumer’s Guide to Buying Insurance, and her honors include NAPIA Person of the Year and Money Magazine’s “Money Hero.”

In this episode, Jan and Amy discuss:

  • The founding of United Policyholders and its role as a consumer advocacy nonprofit

  • Valuation disputes between homeowners and insurers over rebuild costs

  • The emotional and practical imbalance between individuals and insurance companies

  • Building fire-resilient homes to improve future insurability

Key Takeaways: 

  • A large majority of fire survivors discover they do not have enough dwelling coverage to rebuild their homes. In the LA fires, underinsurance rates appear significantly higher than in previous wildfire disasters.

  • Disputes over reconstruction cost estimates are increasing as material prices, labor shortages, and economic conditions drive rebuilding costs upward. These disagreements complicate the claims process and can affect how quickly homeowners move toward resolution.

  • Smoke contamination claims are occurring at unprecedented levels due to the materials that burned and heightened health awareness. Homeowners are pushing back more forcefully when insurers declare homes safe prematurely.

  • Insurance markets in California are under strain, creating tension between consumer protections and insurer participation. Policymakers are exploring reforms while advocates warn about access and affordability risks.

“We empower the insured with information so that people can make good decisions, be their own best advocates, and get what they paid for.” – Amy Bach

Connect with Amy Bach:

Website: https://uphelp.org/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-bach-8a76842/ 

Help library for LA wildfire-impacted households: https://uphelp.org/disaster-recovery-help/2025cawildfires/ 

Connect with Jan Brzeski:

Website: https://scipfinance.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbrzeski/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RebuildingLAafterthefires

Email: pr@scipfinance.com 

Show notes by Podcastologist: Francine Poblete
Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

Jan Brzeski
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Jennifer Gray Thompson: Disaster recovery that actually works