Insurance

Friends

December 2, 2008  ·  Jamie Court

This organization drew heat from some of our friends over the last year for tangling with then-Speaker of the California Assembly Fabian Nunez -- over his support for Governor Schwarzenegger's mandatory private health insurance plan, his flawed term limits extension initiative and his campaign contributor-financed junkets.  Why, some of our friends asked, are you fighting with Fabian?  He's a friend...  Well, the verdict is in on Mr. Nunez and his real friends.

Gov’s appointments go to donors

November 26, 2008  ·  Carmen Balber

Not to be outdone by the <a href="http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/corporateering/articles/?storyId=23983">legislature’s blatant cronyism in appointments</a>, Governor <a href="http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/capitolalertlatest/017375.html">Schwarzenegger awarded a spot</a> on the LA Coliseum Commission to one of his top campaign donors...

Watchdog Groups Raise A Stink About Waste Board Picks

November 26, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

The long tradition of political appointees landing high-paid slots on California's waste board continued Tuesday. Government watchdogs have criticized the board for its high proportion of highly paid political appointees. "These type of sugar-plum jobs have been a senior fellow program for politicians who are termed out of office," said Jamie Court, president of Consumer Watchdog. Court leveled that criticism even as he said Laird and Kuehl were among the most well-respected departing legislators.

Sugarplum appointments

November 25, 2008  ·  Carmen Balber

<p> It looks like the biennial Sacramento ritual of handing out prize appointments to political allies has begun. I haven't been paying close enough attention to give a real rundown, but here are a few that have been reported... </p>

Race and income shouldn’t be part of auto insurance rates

November 25, 2008  ·  Carmen Balber

<p> I was invited to speak on a panel about the financial crisis at the annual meeting of the National Conference of Insurance Legislators this weekend but also had a chance to weigh in on the growing use of education and occupation information by insurance companies... </p>

NCOIL Plans Probe of Educational, Occupational Discounts

November 21, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

"We decided decades ago that basing insurance rates on race, even though that's actuarially sound, was not good public policy, and I think we need to go the same way on education and income," said consumer advocate Carmen Balber, of the California-based group Consumer Watchdog. "We are deciding, by allowing insurance companies to base rates on either of those two factors, that it's OK to charge people who make less money and minorities higher insurance rates."

California Approves Homeowners Rate Hikes for State Farm, Farmers

November 21, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

Advocates, Consumer Watchdog, released the news about the rate hikes after the group had challenged them unsuccessfully. Consumer Watchdog petitioned Poizner to hold a rate hearing but the request was denied, they said in a statement. "We reviewed the proposed rate increases and concluded that they were unjustified," said Douglas Heller, executive director. "The commissioner should not have allowed these insurers to jack up prices like this."<br />

State Farm, Farmers To Raise California Homeowner Insurance Rates

November 21, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p> <strong>Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner's decision is denounced by some, but others say recent wildfires make increases reasonable.</strong><br /> "In an economy like this, Californians are relying on the insurance commissioner to keep premiums as low as possible," said Douglas Heller, executive director of Santa Monica-based Consumer Watchdog. </p>

Did AIG confuse me with Paris Hilton?

November 20, 2008  ·  Judy Dugan

<p> Do you wonder what the insurance giant AIG is doing with its $150 billion-with-a-b in taxpayer bailout money? Well, this is what showed up in my mailbox today. Thick cardboard stock, high-gloss finish, about 8x10 and cut out in pretty, ocean-y shapes. Trust me, the scan (after the jump) doesn't do it justice.  </p>

Insurers Make Pitch for Health Coverage Mandate

November 19, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

Consumer Watchdog, a consumer advocacy group, called the insurers' position self-serving. "If consumer's can't afford coverage or refuse to buy it, they'll face tax penalties. Turning the U.S. government into a collection agency for for-profit health insurers is not universal health care, its full employment for HMO executives," said Jerry Flanagan, the group's health care policy director.

Big Oil: We Told You So

November 18, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p> <strong>With prices sharply lower from the summer's highs, Big Oil's decision to hold off on new production now seems rather wise.<br /> </strong>Exxon may laugh all the way to the bank during this downturn, but when the world pulls out of this economic slump, will the proper investments have been made to make sure prices don't run up like they did earlier this year? Judy Dugan, from Consumer Watchdog, doesn't think so. "There's a sense that they think the prices are now too low to invest," she said "They are whipsawing it both ways." </p>

Insurers Likely to Weather California Firestorm

November 18, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p> <strong>Industry observers say damage payouts shouldn't pose any difficulty, but the weak global economy could lead to eventual premium increases.</strong><br /> Doug Heller, executive director of Consumer Watchdog, believes insurance companies are understating their investment loses after the subprime meltdown and will eventually try to recover those losses by raising rates. </p>