Insurance

Ninth Circuit Asks California Supreme Court to Decide Whether Insurers Can Hide Illegal Overcharges Behind Approved Rates

September 10, 2026  ·  Harvey Rosenfield

Published order also asks whether USAA may charge lower-ranking military servicemembers more than higher-ranking personnel; advocates have only 20 days to urge the California Supreme...

Consumer Watchdog Launches State Farm Wildfire Complaint Form

July 27, 2026  ·  Will Pletcher

Complaint form will help identify and elevate unresolved problems with State Farm claims LOS ANGELES, CA — Consumer Watchdog announced the launch of a dedicated complaint form for State Farm policyholders experiencing unresolved problems...

Court Upholds Lara’s Endorsement Of Insurer Discrimination

July 16, 2026  ·  Will Pletcher

Divided court allows insurers to charge widows, divorcees, single parents and other unmarried Californians more for auto insurance Los Angeles, CA — A divided California Court...

Court Upholds FAIR Plan Surcharges, Consumer Watchdog Weighs Appeal

July 1, 2026  ·  Will Pletcher

Los Angeles, CA — Consumer Watchdog respectfully acknowledges today’s trial court ruling but strongly criticizes Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara’s decision to authorize FAIR Plan surcharges on...

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 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...

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...

Consumer Watchdog Responds to Commissioner Lara Fake News: Case That Lara Rules Violate the FAIR Plan Statute Is Going Forward

July 23, 2025  ·  Will Pletcher

Los Angeles, CA – Today, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge adopted a ruling allowing Consumer Watchdog’s lawsuit to move forward against Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, rejecting...

Court Greenlights Consumer Lawsuit Challenging Insurance Commissioner’s Unlawful Pass-Through Surcharges Under FAIR Plan 

July 22, 2025  ·  Will Pletcher

Los Angeles, CA — A Los Angeles Superior Court judge today finalized a ruling that allows Consumer Watchdog’s lawsuit to proceed against Insurance Commissioner Lara and...

State Farm Cites Newly Announced CDI Market Conduct Exam to Oppose Consumer Participation in Rate Hearing

June 13, 2025  ·  Will Pletcher

Los Angeles, CA — At a hearing today before the California Department of Insurance, State Farm opposed Pacific Palisades homeowner Merritt David Farren’s petition to...

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...