Insurance

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>

Benefits of Morning Fill-Ups an Urban Myth, Watchdog Says

August 6, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p> According to a news release by a California nonprofit organization called Consumer Watchdog, the idea that motorists should fill their tanks in the morning, when gasoline in storage tanks in the ground is coolest, is a myth.<br /> </p>

Pay-As-You-Drive Insurance Spurs Big Brother Fears

August 6, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

SACRAMENTO, CA -- Question: How do environmentalists get motorists to drive less in order to combat global warming? Answer: Team up with the insurance industry and the Legislature to create a pay-as-you-drive insurance policy. And tell drivers...

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

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...

Hayashi Urged to Say ‘No’ to Governor’s Rescission Bill

July 30, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p> When we at Consumer Watchdog heard a disturbing rumor late last week that Assemblywoman Mary Hayashi (D-Hayward) is considering authoring the governor's bill on health insurance rescissions we sent her this ...</p>

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>

Legislation Puts Insurers on Road to More Profits

July 26, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

The insurance industry is busy telling us that it has teamed up with environmentalists to clean the air by cutting insurance premiums for drivers who spend less time on the road.<br/> <br/> The reality is that they want to monitor your driving...

Mileage-based insurance rates don’t have to rely on spyware

July 25, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p> The Contra Costa Times posed some <a href="http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/insurance/articles/?storyId=21489">good questions this week in an editorial about the "pay-as-you-drive" proposal</a> making its way... </p>

California Law Bans Rescission Compensation

July 24, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

SACRAMENTO, CA -- California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed legislation banning health insurance companies from rewarding employees for rescinding a policyholder's insurance.<br/> <br/> A.B. 1150, which cleared both chambers of the state...

Beware of Black Box

July 23, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

There is a new concept for automobile insurance being driven through our state Legislature with Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner at the wheel. The idea is called "Pay as You Drive," which is already an option in 34 states as well...

‘Midday Sunday’ Interview with Prop 103 Author, Harvey Rosenfield

July 23, 2008  ·  Harvey Rosenfield

<strong>Harvey Rosenfield discusses why it took nearly 20 years to end the corporate practice of zip-code based auto insurance.</strong>