News Releases

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,...

Broken Promise:  Rate Hikes Guaranteed, Coverage Expansion Dubious, After Lara’s Secretive Model Reviews

August 1, 2025  ·  Carmen Balber

Los Angeles, CA — Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara is breaking his promise to Californians by guaranteeing rate hikes without guaranteeing more coverage, said Consumer Watchdog...

Consumer Advocates Sue Insurance Commissioner Lara For Punishing Public Participation In Prop 103 Rulemakings

July 30, 2025  ·  Will Pletcher

Lawsuit Alleges Improper Denial of Compensation, Hostility Toward Consumer Advocacy Groups, and Biased Process Los Angeles, CA — Consumer Watchdog and the Consumer Federation of...

Consumer Watchdog Responds to Commissioner Lara Fake News: Case That Lara Rules Violate the FAIR Plan Statute Is Going Forward

July 23, 2025  ·  Will Pletcher

Los Angeles, CA – Today, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge adopted a ruling allowing Consumer Watchdog’s lawsuit to move forward against Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, rejecting...

Court Greenlights Consumer Lawsuit Challenging Insurance Commissioner’s Unlawful Pass-Through Surcharges Under FAIR Plan 

July 22, 2025  ·  Will Pletcher

Los Angeles, CA — A Los Angeles Superior Court judge today finalized a ruling that allows Consumer Watchdog’s lawsuit to proceed against Insurance Commissioner Lara and...