News Releases

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...

Lowball: What Fire Survivors Want You To Know About Insurance Claims

July 1, 2025  ·  Justin Kloczko

As thousands of policyholders navigate the home insurance claims process in California following the Eaton and Pacific Palisades fires, many are finding out that the damage wrought on their still standing homes by smoke and heat isn’t being paid for.

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...