News Releases

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...

Homeowner Surcharge to Bailout Insurers for FAIR Plan Losses Unfair and Illegal, Says Consumer Watchdog

February 11, 2025  ·  Carmen Balber

Los Angeles, CA – Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara announced today he would let home insurance companies charge every homeowner in the state for losses by...

Consumer Watchdog Calls on Insurance Commissioner to Reject State Farm’s Unjustified Emergency Rate Hike Request

February 7, 2025  ·  Carmen Balber

Los Angeles, CA – Consumer Watchdog has submitted two letters to Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara objecting to State Farm’s request for an emergency interim rate increase,...

Insurance Industry, U.S. House GOP, Exploit California Wildfire Disaster to Promote Deregulation in Congress

February 6, 2025  ·  Carmen Balber

Proven Consumer Protections, Investments in Disaster Resilience, and Eliminating Industry Subsidy of Fossil Fuels Are How to Keep American Homeowners Insured Los Angeles, CA – Consumer...

Trying to Cash in On Wildfire Tragedy, State Farm Demands Immediate $740 Million Bailout

February 3, 2025  ·  Carmen Balber

Los Angeles, CA — State Farm this morning asked Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara to authorize an immediate 22% increase in State Farm’s home insurance rates, amounting...

Lara Reinsurance Regulation To Pump Up Homeowners Rates By 40% Without Guarantees of New Wildfire Coverage, No Opportunity For Public Input

December 30, 2024  ·  Jamie Court

The new draft regulation proposed by Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara would allow insurance companies to drive up home insurance rates by 40% to 50%

Consumer Watchdog Saves California Policyholders $47 Million in United Financial Auto Insurance Rate Hikes

December 17, 2024  ·  Ben Powell

Los Angeles, CA —  Consumer Watchdog reached a settlement with United Financial Casualty Company and the California Department of Insurance last week, resolving the company’s application with...