News Releases

Final Briefs Filed in Lawsuit Against Insurance Commissioner Lara & Department of Insurance Over Pay-to-Play Records

August 24, 2022  ·  Jerry Flanagan

Los Angeles, CA — Consumer Watchdog filed its final briefs in a California Public Records Act (“CPRA”) lawsuit against Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara and the...

Consumer Watchdog Challenges $268 Million GEICO Auto Insurance Rate Hike & Job- and Education-Based Insurance Rate Discrimination

August 9, 2022  ·  Carmen Balber

Los Angeles, CA – Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara should reject GEICO’s proposed $268 million auto insurance rate hike and its job- and education-based discriminatory rating...

CSAA Took Advantage of Pandemic, Overcharged Policyholders by at Least $150 Million for Auto Insurance, Policyholder Lawsuit Says

August 8, 2022  ·  Harvey Rosenfield

Los Angeles — CSAA – the northern California Auto Club affiliate – overcharged its customers by at least $150 million for auto insurance during the...

Statement of Consumer Watchdog on Violations of California Law by Mercury Insurance Uncovered by the California Department of Insurance

August 1, 2022  ·  Harvey Rosenfield

Los Angeles, CA – Today’s revelation by the California Department of Insurance(CDI) that Mercury Insurance Company has engaged in massive violations of Proposition 103 and other...

Consumer Watchdog Challenges $202 Million Auto Club Insurance Rate Increase & Job-Based Insurance Rate Discrimination

July 28, 2022  ·  Ben Powell

Los Angeles, CA – Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara should reject the Interinsurance Exchange of the Automobile Club’s (“Auto Club”) proposed $202 million auto insurance rate...

Consumer Watchdog Calls on Insurance Commissioner Lara to Reject Mercury’s Job-Based Insurance Rate Discrimination

July 19, 2022  ·  Carmen Balber

Los Angeles, CA – Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara should reject Mercury Insurance Company’s proposed $131 million auto insurance rate hike and its job- and education-based...

Opening Brief Filed in Public Records Lawsuit Against Insurance Commissioner Lara & Agency Over Pay-to-Play Records

July 14, 2022  ·  Jerry Flanagan

Los Angeles, CA — Consumer Watchdog filed its Opening Brief in a California Public Records Act (“CPRA”) lawsuit against Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara and the...

Insurance Companies Use Unlawful Policy Provisions to Burn Homeowners on Wildfire Claims: Report

July 11, 2022  ·  Harvey Rosenfield

Los Angeles, CA — A Consumer Watchdog examination of public filings reveals that insurance companies have inserted provisions into the fine print of their home, condo...

Regulator Investigates Insurance Companies Funneling $122,500 To Lara Campaign After Complaint Filed Over Failure To Disclose Source

May 31, 2022  ·  Carmen Balber

Los Angeles, CA — Seven insurance companies have contributed $122,500 to the LGBTQ Caucus, which in turn spent the money on an independent expenditure campaign to...

The Department of Insurance Obstructs Access to Public Records Regarding “Connected Cars” in Wake of Industry Lobbying

May 17, 2022  ·  Jerry Flanagan

Los Angeles, CA – The Department of Insurance has engaged in a “pattern and practice of obstructing access to public records,” according to Consumer Watchdog.    ...

Department of Insurance Ethics Legislation Blocked By Assembly Insurance Committee Today Without A Vote; Committee Members Collected $1.5 Million In Insurance Campaign Cash

April 21, 2022  ·  Carmen Balber

Sacramento, CA – Ethics legislation to shine a light on insurance industry influence over decision-making at the Department of Insurance was killed by the Assembly Insurance...

California Climate Insurance Disclosure Bill Stalls

April 18, 2022  ·  Carmen Balber

PUBLIC CITIZEN AND CONSUMER WATCHDOG RELEASED THE FOLLOWING TODAY – The California Assembly Insurance Committee has declined to hold a hearing on a bill that...