News Releases

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...

Auto Insurance Rate Hike for Low Income Drivers Withdrawn

July 30, 2020  ·  Greer Levin

Los Angeles, CA — A proposed overall 3.8% rate hike on drivers insured under California’s Low Cost Auto Insurance Program has been withdrawn after Consumer Watchdog...

Insurance Industry Gives CA Senators $2.35 Million To Win Right To Raise Homeowners’ Rates

July 7, 2020  ·  Carmen Balber

Sacramento, CA – Members of the California State Senate have taken $2,353,000 in campaign contributions from insurance companies and insurance industry trade associations in the last...

Consumer Watchdog Urges Insurance Commissioner to Freeze Auto Insurance Rates for Low Income Drivers

June 16, 2020  ·  Pam Pressley

Los Angeles, CA — Consumer Watchdog has asked the Insurance Commissioner to block proposed hikes in the price of auto insurance sold to low income motorists...

Sneak Insurance Industry Power Play In Sacramento Threatens To Jack Up Home Insurance Rates In Violation of Voter-Enacted Insurance Rate Regulation

June 8, 2020  ·  Jamie Court

Los Angeles, CA – Consumer Watchdog warned today that homeowners could pay billions more for their home insurance under a sneak insurance industry legislative attack...

Assembly Insurance Committee Approves Bills to Let Insurers Raise Homeowners’ Rates By Skirting Price-Gouging Protections

May 8, 2020  ·  Harvey Rosenfield

Sacramento, CA –  The Assembly Insurance Committee voted today to allow insurance companies to raise rates on homeowners and renters in violation of voter-approved Proposition 103.  The...

Insurance Industry Pushes Legislation to Increase Homeowners Insurance Rates, Derail Public Protections Against Price Gouging, in Guise of Wildfire Response

May 6, 2020  ·  Harvey Rosenfield

Los Angeles, CA — While the rest of the state is sheltering at home, lobbyists for the insurance industry are busy promoting legislation, scheduled for...

State Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara Should Stop All Auto Insurance Rate Increases During Pandemic, Says Consumer Watchdog

April 23, 2020  ·  Harvey Rosenfield

Los Angeles, CA – Consumer Watchdog today called on Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara to suspend all increases in auto insurance rates through September 1, or...

Transamerica Settles Lawsuit Concerning Increases in “Cost of Insurance” Charges

April 7, 2020  ·  Harvey Rosenfield

Los Angeles, CA – Transamerica Life Insurance Company has agreed to settle a class action lawsuit brought on behalf of policyholders across the United States...