Consumer Watchdog
Providing an effective voice for American consumers in an era when special interests dominate public discourse, government and politics. Non-partisan.
Articles by Consumer Watchdog
In The News
Cal Matters – L.A. fire survivors accuse State Farm of delaying claims. Should it get OK for a rate hike?
By Levi Sumagaysay, CALMATTERS Rossana Valverde’s Pasadena home of 35 years is still standing after Los Angeles County’s devastating January fires but…
May 5, 2025
Healthcare
San Diego Union-Tribune – Should doctors with addictions be allowed to get confidential treatment?
By Paul Sisson, SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE Consumer advocacy groups are opposing a bill that would create a confidential treatment program for physicians…
May 5, 2025
Courtroom
Southern California Record – Insurance commissioner sued over policyholder surcharges resulting from January’s wildfire damage
By Michael Carroll, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA RECORD https://socalrecord.com/stories/671084738-insurance-commissioner-sued-over-policyholder-surcharges-resulting-from-january-s-wildfire-damage A Los Angeles consumer group is suing Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara over his decision to allow…
Apr 29, 2025
In The News
Cal Matters – California’s battle over data privacy and algorithm protections reaches a crossroads
By Justin Klozcko, CALMATTERS Let’s say you work in the food service industry for a large company, whose scheduling software assigns shifts…
Apr 29, 2025
Energy
San Diego Union-Tribune – Is Gavin Newsom changing his tune with the oil industry?
By Rob Nikolewski, SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE Gov. Gavin Newsom seems to be taking a friendlier tone regarding the petroleum industry, as two…
Apr 25, 2025
Audio
99.1 KBU – Los Angeles, CA: California’s Fire Insurance Industry Accused Of Conspiring To Eliminate Competition And Drive Homeowners Into The California Fair Plan
By Staff Reporters, KBU – Los Angeles, CA Click below to listen to the audio of this radio broadcast segment.
Apr 21, 2025
In The News
San Francisco Chronicle – Lawsuit: California home insurers colluded to create an insurance crisis
By Megan Fan Munce, Susie Neilson, SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE https://www.sfchronicle.com/california-wildfires/article/home-insurance-lawsuit-20283488.php Two law firms are suing California’s largest insurers, arguing their pullback from…
Apr 19, 2025
In The News
Los Angeles Times – Property owners sue California insurance companies over alleged ‘collusion’ following wildfires
By Karla Marie Sanford, LOS ANGELES TIMES https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2025-04-19/property-owners-sue-state-farm-california-insurers-antitrust A group of property owners affected by the January wildfires is suing major California insurance…
Apr 19, 2025
In The News
Los Angeles Times – Eaton fire victims call for investigation into State Farm for delays, violations
By Malia Mendez, LOS ANGELES TIMES https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2025-04-17/eaton-fire-victims-state-farm-protest-delayed-claims-rate-hikes Survivors of the Eaton fire gathered Thursday morning in Pasadena to condemn State Farm’s alleged…
Apr 17, 2025
Courtroom
Newsweek – California Home Insurance Market ‘Collapse’ Warning Issued After Lawsuit
By Suzanne Blake, NEWSWEEK https://www.newsweek.com/california-home-insurance-market-collapse-warning-issued-after-lawsuit-filed-2061074 lawsuit filed by Consumer Watchdog against California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara has triggered new concerns over the stability…
Apr 17, 2025
Courtroom
ABC 7 – 100 days since LA wildfires: Victims vow to rebuild as more lawsuits are filed
https://abc7.com/post/100-days-la-wildfires-victims-vow-rebuild-more-lawsuits-are-filed/16191800 ALTADENA, Calif. (KABC) — Thursday marked 100 days since the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, and people are still fighting to preserve their…
Apr 17, 2025
In The News
Spectrum 1 News – Eaton Fire survivors call for investigation into State Farm over claims
By City News Service, SPECTRUM 1 NEWS https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/southern-california/wildfires/2025/04/17/eaton-fire-investigation-state-farm-claims PASADENA, Calif. — As State Farm pursues a 17% rate increase for home insurance, survivors…
Apr 17, 2025
Courtroom
The Sacramento Bee – CA FAIR PLAN POLICY CHANGE SPURS LAWSUIT
By Stephen Hobbs, THE SACRAMENTO BEE https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article304362711.html Consumer Watchdog, the advocacy organization that has long gone toe-to-toe with the Department of Insurance, is…
Apr 17, 2025
Courtroom
The San Francisco Chronicle – Consumer group sues to stop California insurers from charging customers for FAIR Plan losses
By Megan Fan Munce, SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE https://www.sfchronicle.com/california-wildfires/article/home-insurance-fair-plan-20279165.php A consumer group sued California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara and his department this week…
Apr 17, 2025