News Releases

Insurance Commissioner Cannot Force State Farm to Pay Refunds for Overcharges, San Diego Court Says

November 2, 2021  ·  Harvey Rosenfield

San Diego, CA – The Insurance Commissioner cannot force insurance companies to repay consumers when they charge excessive rates, the state Court of Appeal in San...

Insurance Companies Overcharged Californians by $Billions During the Pandemic – Here’s How to Get it Back

July 30, 2021  ·  Harvey Rosenfield

Los Angeles, CA – Insurance companies have overcharged Californians by billions of dollars since the COVID-19 lockdowns began in March 2020, sixteen months ago. Today,...

Lara Defies Transparency: Refuses To Confirm Or Deny Whether He Or Department Met With Nunez, Serna and Other Known Applied Underwriters Lobbyists In PRA Litigation

July 22, 2021  ·  Jamie Court

Los Angeles, CA — In responses to requests for admissions in pending litigation, Insurance Commissioner Lara’s Department has refused to answer straightforward questions about meetings...

Public Records Act Lawsuit Tests Ricardo Lara’s Pledge Of Transparency

July 6, 2021  ·  Jerry Flanagan

Los Angeles, CA — Despite his pledge for “transparency” in the wake of a scandal involving a workers’ compensation insurer, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara has refused...

Auto Insurance Companies Overcharged California Motorists $5.5 Billion During the First Year of Pandemic, Study Shows

June 29, 2021  ·  Carmen Balber

Los Angeles, CA — While the vast majority of Californians drove far less last year, most California insurance companies continued to charge pre-pandemic auto insurance...

California Insurance Commissioner’s Wildfire Working Group Embraces Insurance Industry Wish List at Expense of Consumers and Taxpayers

June 7, 2021  ·  Carmen Balber

Los Angeles, CA — A group convened by Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara to investigate insurance-related climate change solutions is recommending he let insurance companies insert secret...

California Moves to Curb Discriminatory Auto Insurance Pricing Using Job and Education Level That Charges Lower-Income, Non-White Drivers More

March 23, 2021  ·  Carmen Balber

Sacramento, CA – Insurance companies’ illegal use of job and education level to price auto insurance discriminates against lower income drivers and communities of color and...

Supreme Court Confirms Right to Sue Insurance Companies for Overcharges

March 22, 2021  ·  Harvey Rosenfield

Decision Rebuffs Industry Arguments Against Proposition 103 Enforcement Rights Los Angeles, CA — In a decision that will likely affect California motorists, homeowners, small businesses...

California Moves to Curtail Job and Education-Based Auto Insurance Discrimination

February 19, 2021  ·  Carmen Balber

Sacramento, CA — Draft regulations released by the Department of Insurance Thursday move California one step closer to stopping auto insurance discrimination that has allowed insurers...

Insurance Companies Created Home Insurance Crisis, Consumer Watchdog Testifies at Department of Insurance Wildfire Hearing

October 19, 2020  ·  Carmen Balber

Los Angeles, CA — The insurance industry is exploiting California wildfires for its own financial advantage by arbitrarily refusing to sell or renew homeowners’ insurance...

Insurance Commissioner to Investigate Key Wildfire Insurance Issues Under Legislation Headed to Senate Floor

August 21, 2020  ·  Carmen Balber

Sacramento, CA — California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara would investigate and develop solutions to ensure affordable, accessible insurance for homeowners in wildfire areas and report back...

National Insurance Expert Warns CA Bill to Deregulate Homeowner Insurance Will Hike Rates 40% In First Year; Senate Vote Tomorrow

August 3, 2020  ·  Carmen Balber

Los Angeles, CA — A national insurance expert and actuary has warned California lawmakers that AB 2167, scheduled for a vote in the Senate Insurance...