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Prop 103 California Insurance Reform

Prop 103 California Insurance Reform

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

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

Homeowners Dropped by Insurers

Homeowners Dropped by Insurers

Insurance

Insurance news, investigations, and reform — auto, home, and health insurance rates, claims denials, and industry accountability.
California Court: Safeco Must Disclose Surcharges

California Court: Safeco Must Disclose Surcharges

May 8, 2009  ·  Harvey Rosenfield
<p> LOS ANGELES, CA -- A group of California attorneys have won a battle with Safeco Insurance Co. over surcharges the company was charging customers. A state appellate court decision allows policyholders to have their day in court, said Harvey Rosenfield, the author of Proposition 103, which Safeco allegedly violated. </p>
Google Pro-Openness Campaign Meets Opposition

Google Pro-Openness Campaign Meets Opposition

May 8, 2009  ·  Consumer Watchdog
Google has launched a wide-ranging campaign highlighting its "competition and openness," meeting with everyone from policymakers to media in order to convince them of its anti-monopolistic intentions. Certain consumer-advocacy organizations, however, do not have a warm and fuzzy feeling about Google’s motives. In a May 8 news release, nonprofit group Consumer Watchdog described sending the U.S. Justice Department a copy of a document that Google had been using to back its anti-monopolistic claims; the nonprofit group had taken the liberty of marking the document up with comments.
Consumer Advocates Ask Gov. Crist To Veto Home Insurance Deregulation

Consumer Advocates Ask Gov. Crist To Veto Home Insurance Deregulation

May 6, 2009  ·  Consumer Watchdog
<p> Four consumer advocacy groups implored Gov. Charlie Crist today to veto a bill that would allow large insurers to charge essentially unregulated rates. "This bill is an invitation for insurers to game the Florida regulatory system and abuse consumers," said officials from the Consumer Federation of America, Consumer Watchdog, Center for Economic Justice and United Policyholders in a letter to the governor. "No price can be too high, no discrimination can be found unfair if a policy is issued under these terms." </p>
Court: Class Members Must Be Disclosed

Court: Class Members Must Be Disclosed

May 5, 2009  ·  Consumer Watchdog
<p> <strong>Sued Companies Must Disclose Class Members, Court Says</strong> </p> <p> Now, lawyers suing Safeco can proceed with demands for a list of California residents who were "ripped off by the defendants," said Harvey Rosenfeld, counsel for Santa Monica-based Consumer Watchdog. "After 7 years of winning delays in the court Safeco is out of legal options. I think they are going to have to face the facts and issues refunds for consumers," said Rosenfeld. </p>
Health Advocates Fear Betrayal – Worry Republican Pressure Will Cut Plan For Universal Care

Health Advocates Fear Betrayal – Worry Republican Pressure Will Cut Plan For Universal Care

May 5, 2009  ·  Consumer Watchdog
Much of the left's consternation lies with Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, Montana Democrat, who has taken the lead on drafting a health care reform bill. Many view Mr. Baucus, an easygoing lawmaker who works well with Republicans, as too willing to compromise. "The question is, is that the right profile for the lead architect on health care reform - that he would compromise to get a product that may be bipartisan but doesn't have the details we need in order to have good health care reform bill?" said Jerry Flanagan, health care policy director for the liberal Consumer Watchdog group.
DC Dispatch: Taking the debate out of health care reform

DC Dispatch: Taking the debate out of health care reform

May 5, 2009  ·  Consumer Watchdog
Years ago, at a summit of nonprofit health care advocates convened by charitable foundations in Monterey California, I remember a fierce debate over how best to get health care reform. The question: If we aren't powerful enough to beat the HMOs, why not join them? The same question has been asked and answered in Washington, DC today.
Health insurers’ insider power play in California

Health insurers’ insider power play in California

April 29, 2009  ·  Consumer Watchdog
<p> The shameful way a legislative committee vote went down in California yesterday tears the veil off how health insurance companies and HMOs will fight in Washington against tough, honest health care reforms. I thought I knew how Sacramento worked; I had trouble even believing this one. And you'll see below why you should go to Consumer Watchdog and <a href="http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/complaints/">tell us your stories</a> about outrageous premium increases for health insurance. </p>
Hearing Examines Cost of Health Care as Potential Barrier to Lasting Overhaul

Hearing Examines Cost of Health Care as Potential Barrier to Lasting Overhaul

April 29, 2009  ·  Consumer Watchdog
Despite the success states have had increasing health care coverage, national health care overhaul must address costs to be sustainable, lawmakers and witnesses said at a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing. "Pushing for expanded health coverage while ignoring soaring health care costs killed health reform in California and threatens the sustainability of Massachusetts' plan," Carmen Balber, Washington Director for Consumer Watchdog, said in a news release. "National health reform must not go down the same path."