News Releases

Secret Algorithms to Raise Home Insurance Rates, No Requirement for New Coverage, Under Lara Regulations Issued Today 

December 13, 2024  ·  Carmen Balber

Consumers should expect large rate hikes but not more insurance policies sold under new rules issued by Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara

Consumer Watchdog Saves Policyholders Over $325 Million from State Farm Auto Rate Hike; Dispute Erupts Between Commissioner Lara and Chief Administrative Law Judge Who Finds Department of Insurance Is Not Ensuring Rate Cases Are “Fundamentally Fair” 

December 11, 2024  ·  Ryan Mellino

As a result of Consumer Watchdog’s intervention, State Farm agreed to a lower rate increase of 17.7% compared to its initial 23.4% request

Little Hoover Commission Calls for Greater Transparency and Accountability in Home Insurance Market

November 21, 2024  ·  Carmen Balber

Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara Refused to Testify or Meet with Commission Sacramento, CA – Consumer Watchdog endorsed many of the recommendations released today by the Little...

State Farm, Allstate and Insurance Lobbyists Ask Lara to Override Judge’s Decision

November 15, 2024  ·  Harvey Rosenfield

Chief Judge Says CA Insurance Regulators Flouted Consumer Protections Los Angeles, CA – The Chief Administrative Law Judge of the California Department of Insurance has...

Insurance Commissioner Finalizes Plan Allowing Secret Algorithms to Raise Home Insurance Rates; Lies About Making Insurers Sell More Coverage in Return

November 14, 2024  ·  Carmen Balber

Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara is not being honest with Californians about making insurance companies using secret algorithms to hike rates.

Insurance Industry Spokesman Maviglio Caught Vandalizing Car On Video; Consumer Watchdog Writes To Inform Head of Trade Group

October 7, 2024  ·  Jamie Court

Los Angeles, CA – Consumer Watchdog has written the head of the American Property Casualty Insurance Association with a video showing its Sacramento spokesperson, Steve Maviglio, vandalizing...

Lara’s New Draft Regulation Not Improved: Loopholes Still Free Insurers From Promises to Sell More Coverage; Public Calls for Model Transparency, Accountability Go Unanswered

October 2, 2024  ·  Carmen Balber

Los Angeles, CA — Consumer Watchdog said today’s amendments to Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara’s regulations that let insurance companies hike rates based on secret algorithms related...

Homeowners Dropped by Insurers And Facing Massive Rate Hikes Speak Out;  Consumer Watchdogs Say Lara Lied About Expanding Wildfire Coverage In Exchange For Higher Rates

September 17, 2024  ·  Carmen Balber

Los Angeles, CA — Homeowners who were dropped by their insurance company and confronted with massive rate hikes spoke out at an Assembly Insurance Committee...

Consumer Participation In Insurance Rate Review, Billions In Consumer Savings, At Risk From Commissioner Lara’s Actions

August 9, 2024  ·  Carmen Balber

Los Angeles, CA — Consumer Watchdog issued the following statement about Commissioner Lara’s action today threatening consumers’ voice in insurance rate review. “For the past two...

Consumer Watchdog Calls for Public Hearing on State Farm’s Unprecedented Request for 4-Year, $5.2 Billion Policyholder Bailout

July 29, 2024  ·  Carmen Balber

Los Angeles, CA — Consumer Watchdog is asking Insurance Commissioner Lara to hold a public hearing on State Farm’s new request for a 30% increase in...

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...