Insurance

No More Guns To Our Head

April 10, 2011 · Jamie Court

New Auto insurance Lets You Pay As You Go

April 9, 2011 · Mark Reback

WALNUT CREEK — Nancy Bell figures she will be driving less now that she's retired. So the Oakland resident opted for a new kind of auto insurance policy that rewards drivers for doing just that. By signing up for a pay-as-you-drive policy offered by State Farm instead of an estimated miles policy, Bell could see her future premiums fall. The less she drives below a threshold of 19,000 miles a year, the more she saves.

Cuts To Anthem’s Rate Hikes Are Not For Everyone

April 8, 2011 · Mark Reback

Oversight of Anthem Blue Cross individual plans is split between two health insurance regulators. One group is getting a break on cost increases. The other is not.

Can Pay-As-You-Go Auto Insurance Save You Money?

April 4, 2011 · Mark Reback

The pay-as-you-go trend has already spread to a wide variety of consumer services ranging from wireless to software. Now it looks like auto insurance might be the next industry to jump on the bandwagon. The idea behind it is simple: People should only pay for the insurance coverage that they actually use. In other words, drivers who drive less would pay less for insurance.

Stakeholders Spent $123 Million Lobbying Congress; Focus Is Now Shifting to States

April 4, 2011 · Mark Reback

Columnist Asks: Will Farmers Insurance Settlement Turn Into A Good Deal For Customers? Not Likely…

March 31, 2011 · Jerry Flanagan

<img class=" size-full wp-image-2039" alt="" class="right" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/farmerslogo_1.gif" style="width: 120px; height: 90px;" width="120" height="90" />Today Los Angeles Times columnist Michael Hiltzik takes a hard look at a proposed settlement in a lawsuit against Farmers Insurance opposed by Consumer Watchdog. According to Hiltzik, under the settlement, Farmers would likely keep the lion's share of a $455 million settlement fund intended for consumers while lawyers for the plaintiff would walk away with $90 million in fees.

Will Farmers Insurance Settlement Turn Into A Good Deal For Customers?

March 30, 2011 · Mark Reback

The class-action settlement will result in rebates for Farmers Insurance Group policyholders who were allegedly overcharged. But the insurer's own business units get to keep any money unclaimed by affected customers, who must fill out a 10-page claim form.

Drive Less, Save More

March 30, 2011 · Mark Reback

Nancy Bell figures she will be driving less now that she's retired. So, the Oakland resident opted for a new kind of auto insurance policy that rewards drivers for doing just that. By signing up for a pay-as-you-drive policy offered by State Farm instead of an estimated miles policy, Bell could see her future premiums fall. The less she drives below a threshold of 19,000 miles a year, the more she saves.

Insurance Brokers Battle For Commissions Under Health Reform Law

March 29, 2011 · Mark Reback

WASHINGTON, DC -- In another flashpoint over implementation of federal health reform, insurance brokers are trying to undo a regulation that, they say, has already led to deep cuts in the commissions they earn from selling health care policies. The issue pits brokers against consumer groups, with state insurance commissioners split on the subject. Connecticut's new insurance commissioner, Thomas B. Leonardi, is among those resisting federal legislation to make sure agents' fees are protected under the health reform law.

Caltrain Board Unanimously Approves Everything, Despite Historic Crisis

March 29, 2011 · Mark Reback

The group of local politicians in charge of Caltrain unanimously approves every item that comes before it, seldom debating or asking questions even as the rail line faces a historic financial crisis that soon could lead those same leaders to shutter half its stations.

Insurance Task Force Punts Brokers’ Fee Exemption

March 28, 2011 · Mark Reback

Lawmakers pushing to exempt insurance brokers’ fees from a new regulation in the health care law suffered a setback this weekend when the National Association of Insurance Commissioners declined to take action to support the change. After hearing from consumer groups and insurance agent representatives, a task force set up by the state insurance commissioners essentially punted on the issue, voting Sunday afternoon to ask a committee to report back within four weeks on possible modifications.

Live-Blog from NAIC: A Semi-Victory for Consumers! UPDATED Monday a.m.

March 27, 2011 · Judy Dugan

<img class=" size-full wp-image-2033" alt="" class="right" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/naic_0.jpg" style="width: 201px; height: 123px;" width="401" height="245" />Austin, TX --The chairman of the committee that brought forth the so-called broker bill, and swore to pass it, is now backing away. The efforts of the NAIC's own consumer representatives--and Consumer Watchdog--are paying off. They're literally sending the whole thing back to committee.... likely for a very, very long time! More later, gotta go celebrate.

Prop 103 California Insurance Reform

New Bill Requires Insurance Companies to Offer and Renew Insurance Coverage for Fire-Safe Homes

Homeowners Dropped by Insurers