News Releases

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...

Consumer Watchdog Sets Record Straight With Newsom On Insurance, Companies He Said Were “Coming Back In” Never Left the Market

September 26, 2025  ·  Jamie Court

Sacramento, CA — Consumer Watchdog issued a “Consumer Alert” video warning the public about several misstatements Governor Newsom made at Climate Week in New York about...

Consumer Watchdogs File Insurance Reform Ballot Measure Guaranteeing Fire-Safe Homeowners Right To Coverage & Other Rights, Respond To Deregulation Initiative

September 22, 2025  ·  Jamie Court

Consumer Watchdog have filed a ballot measure guaranteeing insurance coverage to homeowners who meet wildfire mitigation standards set by the state.

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.

From the Office of Sen. Dave Cortese: Bill to Establish the Nation’s First Catastrophic Model for Wildfires Passes the Assembly

September 10, 2025  ·  Carmen Balber

https://sd15.senate.ca.gov/news/senator-dave-corteses-bill-establish-nations-first-catastrophic-model-wildfires-passes SACRAMENTO –  As wildfires continue to break out throughout California, Senator Dave Cortese’s SB 429 that will help homeowners understand their property’s wildfire risk, was...

Judge Rejects Illinois Insurance Department’s Bid To Argue Against Public Transparency in State Farm Rate Hearing, Sides With Consumer Watchdog

September 10, 2025  ·  Will Pletcher

Judge Rejects Illinois Insurance Department’s Bid To Argue Against Public Transparency Consumer Watchdog Led Effort To Stop Out-of-State Agency

Consumer Advocates Urge Court to End Marital-Status Discrimination in Auto Insurance; Data Proves Overcharges

August 20, 2025  ·  Harvey Rosenfield

Los Angeles, CA — Basing auto insurance premiums on whether a motorist is unmarried, divorced or widowed is a violation of the state’s civil rights laws...

Consumer Watchdog’s Statement On Initiative Filed To Repeal Prop 103’S Consumer Protections

August 12, 2025  ·  Carmen Balber

Los Angeles, CA – Consumer Watchdog executive director Carmen Balber issued the following statement today: Proposition 103 has been a huge success for California policyholders,...