News Releases

State Farm Cites Newly Announced CDI Market Conduct Exam to Oppose Consumer Participation in Rate Hearing

June 13, 2025  ·  Will Pletcher

Los Angeles, CA — At a hearing today before the California Department of Insurance, State Farm opposed Pacific Palisades homeowner Merritt David Farren’s petition to...

State Farm Investigation Must Conclude Before Rate Hike Approved Says Consumer Watchdog 

June 12, 2025  ·  Carmen Balber

Los Angeles, CA —  Consumer Watchdog issued the following statement on Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara’s announcement today of a market conduct examination into State Farm claims handling...

Commissioner Lara Approves Unjustified $749 Million State Farm Home Insurance Rate Hike

May 13, 2025  ·  Carmen Balber

UPDATED 1:40PM Los Angeles, CA – A proposed decision recommending approval of State Farm General’s request for an interim rate hike was issued by an Administrative...

Consumer Watchdog Sues to Stop Hundreds of Millions of Dollars in Unjustified Surcharges from Being Imposed on California Homeowners

April 15, 2025  ·  Ryan Mellino

Los Angeles, CA – Consumer Watchdog sued the California Department of Insurance and Commissioner Ricardo Lara to protect California homeowners from hundreds of millions in surcharges...

Consumer Watchdog Urges Denial of State Farm’s Emergency Rate Hike at Conclusion of Department of Insurance Hearing

April 10, 2025  ·  Carmen Balber

Los Angeles, CA – Consumer Watchdog delivers its closing argument today in a high-stakes hearing before the California Department of Insurance, urging the Insurance Commissioner to...

Consumer Watchdog: “State Farm’s Emergency Rate Hike is Not Justified”

April 8, 2025  ·  Carmen Balber

Consumer group urges regulators to reject rate hike as unsupported and unfair Los Angeles, CA – In the first day of hearings, Consumer Watchdog made its...

At Hearing, Consumer Watchdog Will Oppose A Deal on State Farm’s “Emergency” Home & Renters’ Insurance Rate Hike

April 8, 2025  ·  Consumer Watchdog

Sacramento, CA – On Tuesday, April 8, at 10:00 AM, Consumer Watchdog will be presenting its case at the California Department of Insurance against State Farm’s...

State Farm Rate Hike Request Goes To Public Hearing 

March 14, 2025  ·  Carmen Balber

As urged by Consumer Watchdog, California’s Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara has called a hearing on State Farm’s unprecedented request for a $900 million “emergency” rate...

Watchdog to Lara: State Farm Exec’s Startling Admission About Orchestrating Rate Hike Request Through Cancelled Coverage Should Be Disqualifying For Emergency Request

March 7, 2025  ·  Jamie Court

Los Angeles, CA – Consumer Watchdog wrote a letter to California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara with new information showing why State Farm should not be...

Rate Hike Challenge Saves $25 Million for General Ins. Co. Homeowner Policyholders

March 6, 2025  ·  Ben Powell

Los Angeles, CA – Consumer Watchdog reached a settlement this week with General Insurance Company of America and the California Department of Insurance, resolving the company’s...

Consumer Watchdog Opposes State Farm’s Emergency Rate Hike Following Meeting with Insurance Commissioner Lara

February 26, 2025  ·  Will Pletcher

Los Angeles, CA – Following today’s meeting with California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, State Farm General Insurance (SFG), and the California Department of Insurance (CDI),...

Consumer Watchdog Agrees With Insurance Commissioner Lara That State Farm Needs To Provide More Information Before Getting Rate Hike, But Should Be Provided in Full Hearing

February 14, 2025  ·  Jamie Court

Los Angeles, CA – Consumer Watchdog said that Insurance Commissioner Lara is right in asking for more information from State Farm before approving its request...