News Releases

Consumer Watchdog Sues to Stop Hundreds of Millions of Dollars in Unjustified Surcharges from Being Imposed on California Homeowners

April 15, 2025  ·  Ryan Mellino

Los Angeles, CA – Consumer Watchdog sued the California Department of Insurance and Commissioner Ricardo Lara to protect California homeowners from hundreds of millions in surcharges...

Consumer Watchdog: “State Farm’s Emergency Rate Hike is Not Justified”

April 8, 2025  ·  Carmen Balber

Consumer group urges regulators to reject rate hike as unsupported and unfair Los Angeles, CA – In the first day of hearings, Consumer Watchdog made its...

At Hearing, Consumer Watchdog Will Oppose A Deal on State Farm’s “Emergency” Home & Renters’ Insurance Rate Hike

April 8, 2025  ·  Consumer Watchdog

Sacramento, CA – On Tuesday, April 8, at 10:00 AM, Consumer Watchdog will be presenting its case at the California Department of Insurance against State Farm’s...

State Farm Rate Hike Request Goes To Public Hearing 

March 14, 2025  ·  Carmen Balber

As urged by Consumer Watchdog, California’s Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara has called a hearing on State Farm’s unprecedented request for a $900 million “emergency” rate...

Watchdog to Lara: State Farm Exec’s Startling Admission About Orchestrating Rate Hike Request Through Cancelled Coverage Should Be Disqualifying For Emergency Request

March 7, 2025  ·  Jamie Court

Los Angeles, CA – Consumer Watchdog wrote a letter to California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara with new information showing why State Farm should not be...

Rate Hike Challenge Saves $25 Million for General Ins. Co. Homeowner Policyholders

March 6, 2025  ·  Ben Powell

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

Consumer Watchdog Opposes State Farm’s Emergency Rate Hike Following Meeting with Insurance Commissioner Lara

February 26, 2025  ·  Will Pletcher

Los Angeles, CA – Following today’s meeting with California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, State Farm General Insurance (SFG), and the California Department of Insurance (CDI),...

Consumer Watchdog Calls on Insurance Commissioner to Reject State Farm’s Unjustified Emergency Rate Hike Request

February 7, 2025  ·  Carmen Balber

Los Angeles, CA – Consumer Watchdog has submitted two letters to Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara objecting to State Farm’s request for an emergency interim rate increase,...

Consumer Watchdog Saves California Policyholders $47 Million in United Financial Auto Insurance Rate Hikes

December 17, 2024  ·  Ben Powell

Los Angeles, CA —  Consumer Watchdog reached a settlement with United Financial Casualty Company and the California Department of Insurance last week, resolving the company’s application with...

Consumer Watchdog Saves Policyholders Over $325 Million from State Farm Auto Rate Hike; Dispute Erupts Between Commissioner Lara and Chief Administrative Law Judge Who Finds Department of Insurance Is Not Ensuring Rate Cases Are “Fundamentally Fair” 

December 11, 2024  ·  Ryan Mellino

As a result of Consumer Watchdog’s intervention, State Farm agreed to a lower rate increase of 17.7% compared to its initial 23.4% request

State Farm, Allstate and Insurance Lobbyists Ask Lara to Override Judge’s Decision

November 15, 2024  ·  Harvey Rosenfield

Chief Judge Says CA Insurance Regulators Flouted Consumer Protections Los Angeles, CA – The Chief Administrative Law Judge of the California Department of Insurance has...

Consumer Watchdog Litigation Director Jerry Flanagan Moves On, Is Succeeded By Experienced Consumer Protection Attorney Will Pletcher

November 4, 2024  ·  Jamie Court

Los Angeles, CA – Jerry Flanagan, a 22-year veteran of Consumer Watchdog, has stepped aside as Litigation Director to join the firm of Shernoff Bidart...