Insurance

State Farm To Cut Car Insurance Rates For Calif.

May 15, 2009  ·  Consumer Watchdog

Doug Heller, the executive director of Consumer Watchdog, said State Farm proposed last year to lower auto insurance rates by 3.2 percent or about $88 million as required by state law. Heller said his Santa Monica-based group challenged the proposal, arguing the company was relying on one year's worth of data for determining its loss trends, which are used to predict future losses and to set the rate. Heller said insurance providers were previously required to consider three years' worth of data on losses, but Poizner loosened the rule last year.

Health care reform turning into bailout for health insurers

May 12, 2009  ·  Consumer Watchdog

It's hard not to read the new <a href="http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/resources/HealthcareDescriptionPolicyOptions.pdf">US Senate Finance Committee paper</a> laying out policy options for health care reform as anything but a bailout of the HMO and insurance industry.

DC Dispatch: Congress health reform plan tilts to insurers

May 12, 2009  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p> A Senate <a href="http://www.finance.senate.gov/sitepages/leg/LEG%202009/051109%20Health%20Care%20Description%20of%20Policy%20Options.pdf">health care reform "policy options"</a> document released last night gives us a good idea where national reform plans will go, and it offers some major causes for worry. It states without reservation that  every American must show proof of insurance coverage, with a few exceptions. And a strong "public option," like voluntary Medicare, is just one of several possibilities. Before we get to the laudable parts, Consumer Watchdog wants to state one thing clearly: If federal health reforms demand that Americans buy unregulated private insurance, and don't offer a public option of Medicare strength, it will be a criminal ripoff of families and taxpayers. </p>

Making it easy for Google

May 9, 2009  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p> You'd think with the communications resources that <a href="http://www.google.com/intl/en/corporate/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Google</a> has at its disposal, the Internet giant's executives would be able to answer direct questions. An exchange of letters over the last few weeks shows otherwise. </p>

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

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

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>

Florida Legislature sends home insurance deregulation bill to Gov. Crist

May 6, 2009  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p> In recent years Floridians have seen the worst of the insurance industry.  From lousy hurricane claims handling to price gouging, dumping customers and defiance of state orders.  It got so bad with Allstate, that the company was barred from doing business... </p>

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>

DC Dispatch: Americans don’t like insurance mandates, why does Sen. Baucus?

May 5, 2009  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p> I spent the morning in the Capitol building at a <a href="http://finance.senate.gov/sitepages/hearing050509.html">Senate Finance Committee</a> panel discussion on health care reform and expanding coverage. Staff with the committee gave me a seat in the room, but wouldn’t give Consumer Watchdog a seat at the table. Now I know why... </p>

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

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.