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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.
Stanford cuts corporate influence on medical school

Stanford cuts corporate influence on medical school

August 27, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog
<a href="http://med.stanford.edu/news_releases/2008/august/cme.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Stanford University's decision</a> to curtail drug and medical device company financing of its continuing medical education (CME) programs is a major step toward ensuring doctors practice medicine based on science, not marketing plans.
Calif. To Tie Auto Insurance to Miles Driven

Calif. To Tie Auto Insurance to Miles Driven

August 27, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog
The regulations will be voluntary and are expected to take effect by fall 2009. They will allow insurance companies to track mileage through odometer readings or wireless devices placed in vehicles. Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner said his rules will prohibit insurance companies from tracking motorists' locations or how they drive. "That would be a blatant privacy violation," he said.
Campaign Cash Is Main Feature Of End-Of-Session Frenzy

Campaign Cash Is Main Feature Of End-Of-Session Frenzy

August 23, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog
<p> It's an environment that makes government watchdogs nervous. "The pernicious impact of the end-of-session fundraising is the appearance that contributions are purchasing influence," said Carmen Balber, researcher for Consumer Watchdog. "And the perception that campaign contributions are buying influence is multiplied when a vote comes within days of a lawmaker cashing a check." </p>
Schiff Hosts Economic Roundtable In Pasadena

Schiff Hosts Economic Roundtable In Pasadena

August 21, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog
<p> On Wednesday, FDIC Chairwoman Sheila C. Bair announced that IndyMac is launching a new program to help borrowers with mortgages that are seriously delinquent or in default. Judy Dugan, research director for Consumer Watchdog, lauded the federal agency's takeover of IndyMac. "It's good that the government stepped in when it did," she said at Wednesday's roundtable. "I think fewer banks will go under because of the way IndyMac was handled." </p> <p>   </p>
Poizner Drops Refund Effort

Poizner Drops Refund Effort

August 5, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog
<strong>The State Insurance Chief Settles with Allstate, Which Agrees Not to Oppose a 28.5% Homeowners' Rate Cut.</strong><br/> <br/> California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner has quietly dropped an effort to seek refunds for Allstate...
Beware the Cap

Beware the Cap

August 3, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog
<strong>Many Workers Now Have Health Insurance Policies with a $1 Million to $2 Million "Lifetime Maximum." What Happens When You Exceed It?</strong><br/> <br/> Brenda Jordan says she's been getting phone calls lately from people who...
Referendum Process Now Being Used By Wealthy

Referendum Process Now Being Used By Wealthy

July 28, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog
<font>When California's reform-minded Gov. Hiram Johnson launched the referendum process in 1911, his idea was to give common citizens more of a voice in setting state policy.<br/> <br/> If citizens couldn't afford to hire lobbyists in...</font>