News Releases

Consumer Watchdog Announces Settlement in State Farm Insurance Rate Case Saving California Consumers Approximately $530 Million; Agreement Reduces Requested Increases, Provides Refunds, and Includes Consumer Protections

March 6, 2026  ·  Will Pletcher

Consumer Watchdog today announced a filed State Farm settlement that could save California policyholders about $530 million

Supreme Court Strikes Down Trump Tariffs, Vindicating Consumers and the Constitution

February 20, 2026  ·  Will Pletcher

Decision Affirms Only Congress May Tax Americans; Ends Unlawful “Emergency” Tariffs That Are Driving Up Consumer Prices Los Angeles, CA —  In a landmark decision (opens in...

Court of Appeal Sides with Consumer Watchdog and Coalition of Consumer Protection and Civil-Rights Organizations in Privacy and Access-to-Justice Case

January 22, 2026  ·  Will Pletcher

Published Decision Rejects Industry Effort to Close California Courthouse Doors Los Angeles, CA — Consumer Watchdog, working with a broad coalition of consumer protection and civil-rights...

Lara’s Revenge Regulation Will Gut Public Participation in Insurance Rate-Making, Consumer Watchdog Says at Hearing Today

November 20, 2025  ·  Harvey Rosenfield

Los Angeles, CA – Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara’s proposal to change the rules that govern consumers’ right to scrutinize and challenge unjustified rates would derail the...

Consumer Watchdog Welcomes Los Angeles County Investigation Into State Farm’s Wildfire Claims

November 13, 2025  ·  Carmen Balber

County Action Follows Mounting Complaints from Fire Survivors Los Angeles, CA — Consumer Watchdog today commended the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and the Los...

Consumer Watchdog Urges Supreme Court to Rein In Presidential Tariff Powers Driving Up Consumer Prices

October 8, 2025  ·  Will Pletcher

Washington, DC – Consumer Watchdog today filed an amicus curiae brief in the U.S. Supreme Court urging the Justices to strike down President Donald Trump’s sweeping...

Consumer Watchdog Saves Stillwater Homeowners’ Policyholders $13 Million in Rate Hike Challenge

September 23, 2025  ·  Will Pletcher

Los Angeles, CA – Consumer Watchdog executed a settlement this week with Stillwater Insurance Company and the California Department of Insurance, resolving the company’s application with...

Federal Circuit Declares Trump Tariffs Unlawful, Affirming Consumer Watchdog’s Constitutional Concerns

August 29, 2025  ·  Will Pletcher

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled today that the Trump administration’s use of emergency powers to impose tariffs exceeded...

Judge Denies Lara’s CDI and State Farm’s Attempt to Move Rate Case Pre-Hearings Behind Closed Doors

August 27, 2025  ·  Will Pletcher

Consumer Watchdog Praises Ruling Upholding Public Access and Proposition 103 Transparency Los Angeles, CA – An Administrative Law Judge today issued a series of rulings in State Farm’s...

Consumer Watchdog Joins Amicus Brief To Protect Consumers’ Privacy And Keep California Courthouse Doors Open

August 26, 2025  ·  Will Pletcher

Filing in Yeh v. Barrington Pacific, LLC urges the Court of Appeal to reject federal-style standing hurdles that would weaken Californians’ consumer-privacy rights under the Investigative Consumer...

Consumer Advocates Urge Court to End Marital-Status Discrimination in Auto Insurance; Data Proves Overcharges

August 20, 2025  ·  Harvey Rosenfield

Los Angeles, CA — Basing auto insurance premiums on whether a motorist is unmarried, divorced or widowed is a violation of the state’s civil rights laws...

Consumer Advocates Sue Insurance Commissioner Lara For Punishing Public Participation In Prop 103 Rulemakings

July 30, 2025  ·  Will Pletcher

Lawsuit Alleges Improper Denial of Compensation, Hostility Toward Consumer Advocacy Groups, and Biased Process Los Angeles, CA — Consumer Watchdog and the Consumer Federation of...