News Releases

Bailout: Insurance Commissioner Would Force Homeowners to Pay for FAIR Plan Losses 

July 26, 2024  ·  Carmen Balber

Los Angeles, CA — Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara today proposed a multi-billion dollar policyholder bailout of the insurance industry for its exposure to wildfire losses at the...

Consumer Watchdog Responds To Industry Attack On Its Right To Challenge Unjustified Rate Hikes; Calls On Insurance Commissioner Lara To Follow Law & Confirm Its Eligibility

July 15, 2024  ·  Carmen Balber

Los Angeles, CA  — Consumer Watchdog called on the Department of Insurance to stop erecting roadblocks to public oversight and confirm the organization’s eligibility to challenge...

Consumer Watchdog to Testify that Five Loopholes in Lara Rule Will Stand in the Way of New Coverage in Fire Areas

June 26, 2024  ·  Carmen Balber

Sacramento, CA – Loopholes in the latest regulation proposed by Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara will enable continued insurance redlining and non-renewals in fire zones, not spur...

Lara Plan Leaves Home, Condo, Apartment Insurance Unaffordable and Unavailable

June 12, 2024  ·  Carmen Balber

Sacramento, CA — Home insurance will remain unaffordable and unobtainable for many Californians under new rules proposed by Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara today, said Consumer...

Consumer Groups Warn Lawmakers: Governor’s Insurance Bill Will Cost Californians Billions

June 6, 2024  ·  Carmen Balber

Sacramento, CA — Six consumer organizations warned state Senate and Assembly leaders that a budget trailer bill proposed by the governor would cut the public...

Governor’s Proposal Targets Prop 103’s Public Rate Review that has Saved Homeowners, Drivers, Doctors $6 Billion on Insurance

May 29, 2024  ·  Carmen Balber

A proposal by Gov Newsom would undercut independent public scrutiny of insurance rate increases and jeopardize Californians

Commissioner Lara Gives State Farm Green Light to Reduce Wildfire Mitigation Discounts and Avoid Explanation of How Homeowners’ Wildfire Risk is Determined

May 20, 2024  ·  Carmen Balber

Los Angeles, CA – Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara approved State Farm’s reduction of the discounts it offers homeowners for wildfire mitigation and freed the company from...

New Consumer Alert Video Warns Insurance Commissioner’s Deal Won’t Get Homeowners Real Coverage

May 16, 2024  ·  Carmen Balber

Scant “UNFAIR Plan” Policy is the Most Insurers Would Have to Sell  Los Angeles, CA – In a consumer alert video released today Consumer Watchdog warns...

Wildfire Mitigation Discounts Too Low, Insurance Companies Fail to Explain How They Rank Homeowners’ Wildfire Risk, Consumer Watchdog Challenges

May 1, 2024  ·  Carmen Balber

Consumer Watchdog Challenged State Farm for failure to properly disclose or explain to consumers their wildfire risk classifications

Commissioner Lara Proposes Minimal Oversight, Secrecy of Black-Box Wildfire Insurance Models

April 23, 2024  ·  Carmen Balber

Proposed Regulation Will Raise Rates but Will Not Stop Home Insurance Companies’ Market Boycott, Says Consumer Watchdog Los Angeles, CA – Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara’s proposal...

Watchdog Renews Call on Insurance Commissioner Lara to Mandate Insurance Companies Disclose the Fossil Fuel Projects They Insure

April 9, 2024  ·  Carmen Balber

Lara Rejected Petition from Over 60 Groups to Require Disclosure in 2019 Los Angeles, CA – Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara must hold insurance companies accountable for their...

Consumers Who Harden Homes to Reduce Wildfire Risk Must Have a Right to Buy  Insurance, Consumer Watchdog to Testify before Little Hoover Commission

March 28, 2024  ·  Carmen Balber

Sacramento, CA – California must require insurance companies to sell home insurance to homeowners who protect their homes from wildfire in order to restore consumers’ access...