News Releases

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...

HIV-Positive Individuals Seek to Certify a Class Action in Discrimination Case Against CVS

November 4, 2024  ·  Ben Powell

Internal Documents Show CVS Adopted an HIV Prescription Drug Mail-Order Program to Increase Revenue Despite Health Risks Los Angeles, CA – CVS was aware of the...

Consumer Participation In Insurance Rate Review, Billions In Consumer Savings, At Risk From Commissioner Lara’s Actions

August 9, 2024  ·  Carmen Balber

Los Angeles, CA — Consumer Watchdog issued the following statement about Commissioner Lara’s action today threatening consumers’ voice in insurance rate review. “For the past two...

Consumer Watchdog Calls for Public Hearing on State Farm’s Unprecedented Request for 4-Year, $5.2 Billion Policyholder Bailout

July 29, 2024  ·  Carmen Balber

Los Angeles, CA — Consumer Watchdog is asking Insurance Commissioner Lara to hold a public hearing on State Farm’s new request for a 30% increase in...

Proposition 34 is a Threat to Our Health & Democracy, Consumer Watchdog Tells the California Supreme Court

July 16, 2024  ·  Jerry Flanagan

Los Angeles, CA – Proposition 34, currently scheduled to appear on the November 2024 ballot targeting the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (“AHF”), violates the California and...

Consumer Watchdog Responds To Industry Attack On Its Right To Challenge Unjustified Rate Hikes; Calls On Insurance Commissioner Lara To Follow Law & Confirm Its Eligibility

July 15, 2024  ·  Carmen Balber

Los Angeles, CA  — Consumer Watchdog called on the Department of Insurance to stop erecting roadblocks to public oversight and confirm the organization’s eligibility to challenge...

Wildfire Mitigation Discounts Too Low, Insurance Companies Fail to Explain How They Rank Homeowners’ Wildfire Risk, Consumer Watchdog Challenges

May 1, 2024  ·  Carmen Balber

Consumer Watchdog Challenged State Farm for failure to properly disclose or explain to consumers their wildfire risk classifications