News Releases

Farmers’ Filing Exhibit A for Loopholes in Lara Plan: Shows Net Loss of 15,000 Policies In Distressed Areas And 59,000 Policies Overall In Exchange for Up To 65% Rate Hike

November 24, 2025  ·  Jamie Court

Los Angeles, CA – The recent filing from Farmers Insurance under Insurance Commissioner Lara’s “Sustainable Insurance Strategy” is the poster child for the loopholes in...

New Episode of Smoke & Mirrors Explores Why Fire Survivors Want California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara Out

November 24, 2025  ·  Justin Kloczko

A backdoor agreement between California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara and major insurance companies led to a wave of dropped policies before 2025’s catastrophic LA fires.

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 Welcomes Los Angeles County Investigation Into State Farm’s Wildfire Claims

November 13, 2025  ·  Carmen Balber

County Action Follows Mounting Complaints from Fire Survivors Los Angeles, CA — Consumer Watchdog today commended the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and the Los...

New Episode of Smoke & Mirrors Reveals How Tech and Algorithms Hurt Policyholders

November 11, 2025  ·  Justin Kloczko

Hidden algorithms and artificial intelligence used by the nation’s largest home insurance companies are leaving many homeowners underinsured, underpaid, or denied home insurance completely. 

New York Times Investigation Finds Lara’s Plan Incentivized Insurers’ Dumping Of Policyholders Prior To LA Fires, Doubling FAIR Plan Enrollment

November 3, 2025  ·  Jamie Court

Los Angeles, CA – A New York Times investigation has found Insurance Commissioner Lara’s 2023 plan to deal with California’s insurance crisis incentivized insurance companies to dump policyholders...

Consumer Alert Warns Eaton Fire Survivors About Edison Fast Pay Provision: Fast Doesn’t Mean Fair

October 30, 2025  ·  Jamie Court

Los Angeles, CA – A short consumer alert video, produced by Consumer Watchdog and narrated by Eaton fire survivor Ellen Snortland, warns Eaton fire survivors that the...

Smoke & Mirrors Podcast Exposes Troubling Tactics of Insurance Subcontractors in Wildfire Recovery

October 27, 2025  ·  Justin Kloczko

We uncover the underworld of fire insurance subcontracting, where companies positioned as experts in smoke testing and home remediation work for insurers seeking to cut costs.

New Investigative Podcast Series Uncovers Wildfire Insurance Abuses 

October 22, 2025  ·  Justin Kloczko

Smoke & Mirrors uncovers a web of little-known subcontractors and unseen technology that facilitate claims delays, lowballed payouts and denials, and offers advice on what consumers can do about it.

California to Create First Public Wildfire Catastrophe Model to Empower Homeowners with Insurance Wildfire Risk Information

October 13, 2025  ·  Carmen Balber

Sacramento, CA – Legislation creating a fully transparent public wildfire catastrophe model was signed by Governor Newsom late Friday. The law will give consumers the ability...

Poll Shows Between 80% and 90% Support For Insurance Policyholders Bill of Rights 

October 8, 2025  ·  Jamie Court

Los Angeles, CA – Consumer Watchdog released polling data showing overwhelming disapproval of the insurance industry and overwhelming public support for the Insurance Policyholder Bill of...

Updated CA Insurance Department Data Shows Time To Rate Approvals Same With or Without Intervenors, Public Citizen Chimes In Against Revenge Regulations

October 2, 2025  ·  Jamie Court

Sacramento, CA – Updated data from the California Department of Insurance (CDI) continues to show rate approvals are as fast, or faster, when Consumer Watchdog is...