Insurance

Pay-As-You-Drive Plan Good for Wallets – and Environment

September 4, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

The PAYD model would allow drivers to document their annual mileage in three ways: They could submit maintenance records; they could have an insurance company representative check their car's odometer; or they could have an electronic mileage-tracking device installed on their vehicle. The latter option has been a source of debate among groups such as Consumer Watchdog. Former mileage-tracking technologies relied on a GPS device, which ignited privacy concerns. The idea of giving auto insurance companies access to drivers' location data was a bit too "Big Brother" for consumers.

Are hurricanes or Wall Street losses driving premium increases? CNBC didn’t like my answer

September 2, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p> The CNBC anchors acted like I'd yelled fire in a crowded movie house when I pointed out this morning that it was investment losses driving insurance premium increases, not Hurricane Gustav or Katrina. You can watch the clip ...</p>

Congress Ready To Play ‘Beat The Clock’

September 1, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p> <strong> Passage of Insurance-Related Bills Problematic with Sept. 26 Adjournment Looming</strong><br /> Action was delayed after a new California member, Rep. Jackie Spier, a Democrat, voiced concerns about whether the bill would inadvertently preempt Proposition 103 -- the 1988 ballot initiative that mandated a prior-approval auto insurance rating system for California, and which ended up rolling back auto rates. Harvey Rosenfeld -- one of the chief supporters of Prop. 103, now president of Consumer Watchdog, based in Los Angeles -- said he has also voiced concerns about the bill to House and Financial Services Committee leaders because of the bill's potential impact on Prop 103. </p>

California Lawmakers Pass Several Bills

September 1, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p> <strong>Measures dealing with health insurance cancellation, mortgage lenders, chemicals and college aid to illegal immigrants are approved.</strong> </p> <p> SACRAMENTO, CA -- Insurance companies could no longer cancel with impunity...</p>

Drive Less, Pay Less – And Able To Prove It

August 29, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<strong>New Rule Would Really Link Miles Driven And Auto Insurance Rates</strong><br /> Miles driven would be verified by one of three methods: odometer readings, service records from an auto repair shop or technical devices approved by the commissioner. Poizner has said insurers will be allowed to track only miles driven, not other factors such as when and how individual motorists drive, a concern of consumer groups.

Pay-As-You-Drive Auto Insurance Revs Up

August 28, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

The proposal stems from legislation authored by state Assemblyman Jared Huffman, D-San Rafael, which would have made it possible for insurers to have different rates for policies based on driver-estimated mileage and insurer-verified mileage. While the legislation was backed by environmental groups, some consumer groups had concerns. It was withdrawn in conjunction with Poizner's proposal. "The bill allowed insurance companies to require drivers to place the technology in the car or not get the (pay-as-you-drive) discount," said Carmen Balber with Consumer Watchdog. "It looks like consumers will have options under these regulations. "

Don, Arnold. Arnold, Don. Pot, meet Kettle

August 28, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p> Arnold dusted off his old recall election campaign theme of cleaning up Sacramento yesterday when he <a href="http://www.sacbee.com/111/story/1191843.html">lambasted Senate Leader Don Perata</a> for accepting $577,000 from the union... </p>

Poizner Pushes Mileage Plan

August 28, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<strong>The Pay-As-You-Drive Proposal Could Save Californians Hundreds of Dollars a Year.</strong><br /> Consumer groups, who opposed Huffman's bill in the Legislature because they alleged that it conflicted with another state insurance law, are backing Poizner's regulatory drive. Regulations based on "a driver's mileage will lower auto insurance premiums, particularly when the high cost of gasoline is encouraging people to drive less," said Harvey Rosenfield, the founder of Santa Monica-based Consumer Watchdog, which advocates for policyholders. 

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

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.

Stanford Medical School Restricting Industry Funding of Continuing Education for Physicians

August 27, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

To keep its doctors from being tainted by business biases, Stanford University's medical school announced Tuesday it is imposing a highly unusual restriction on educational contributions by drug and medical device companies.

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>