Blogs

State-run Wildfire Insurance Fund Won’t Work, There’s A Better Way

February 2, 2026  ·  Jamie Court

Following last year’s wildfire losses, California policymakers are searching for structural fixes. One idea is to create a state-backed wildfire insurance fund, often justified by...

FAIR Plan Must Pay Fire Survivors’ Claims Before Lara Hikes Rates

October 6, 2025  ·  Carmen Balber

The FAIR Plan, the insurance pool of last resort for homeowners forced out of the traditional market by insurance company nonrenewals, sought a 35% rate...

Uber’s Dirty Deal

October 6, 2025  ·  Jamie Court

In the last days of the legislative session, Uber leveraged its political power for a change in the uninsured motorist coverage it must buy under...

Statement On Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara’s New Proposed Intervenor Compensation Regulations

September 21, 2025  ·  Jamie Court

If the goal of Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara’s goal is to bring new intervenors into the process, regulations will do the opposite.

Passage of Public Wildfire Catastrophe Model Legislation Highlight of Session Lacking Bold Action on Home Insurance Abuses

September 15, 2025  ·  Carmen Balber

Even when homeowners do everything right to protect their homes from wildfires they face extreme price hikes and nonrenewals of their insurance.

What’s Up with Insurance in Sacramento?

July 17, 2025  ·  Carmen Balber

With FAIR Plan enrollment increasing daily the legislature has still not taken up the one thing that could stabilize access to home insurance in California:...

Insurers Can’t Avoid Offering Premium Discounts to Good Drivers by Creating Bogus Club Memberships

March 31, 2025  ·  Justin Kloczko

An auto insurance company must offer its lowest rate to all good drivers, and can’t hide behind so-called club memberships in order to overcharge motorists. ...

Consumer Watchdog Testifies, Calls on CA Lawmakers to Require Insurance Companies to Cover Fire Victims Who Build Back Better

March 13, 2025  ·  Carmen Balber

Consumer Watchdog executive director Carmen Balber testified on March 12, 2025 to the State Senate Insurance Committee about the state of the insurance market after...

Consumer Watchdog: Wildfire and Windstorm Alert for Los Angeles County and Surrounding Areas

January 13, 2025  ·  Will Pletcher

If your home has been destroyed or damaged by the recent wildfires or windstorms in California, it’s essential to know your rights and available resources.

Insurance Commissioner Seeks to Avoid State Review of Regulation Permitting Insurers to Use Secret Black-Box Models to Set Rates

December 11, 2024  ·  Ryan Mellino

On December 5, 2024, Consumer Watchdog sent a letter to California’s Office of Administrative Law (“OAL”) objecting to the Department of Insurance’s (“the Department”) use...

Alert: Garamendi Calls On Commissioner Lara To Step Aside

November 14, 2024  ·  Carmen Balber

Former Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi called on Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara to step aside if he’s unwilling to stand up to the insurance industry. In...

State Farm’s Shady Reinsurance Deal

November 8, 2024  ·  Carmen Balber

Annual reports for State Farm’s home insurance subsidiary in California suggest it’s sending profits out of state by overpaying its parent company for reinsurance. California...