Consumer Watchdog

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Consumer Watchdog

Insurance

Insurance news, investigations, and reform — auto, home, and health insurance rates, claims denials, and industry accountability.
Prop 103 saves homeowners another $242 million

Prop 103 saves homeowners another $242 million

<p> Last week, <a href="http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/insurance/articles/?storyId=21293">Allstate was ordered by the Insurance Commissioner to reduce its homeowners insurance rates</a> by approximately $242 million - an average $250 savings... </p>
Watching You at the Wheel

Watching You at the Wheel

ANCHOR: DEBORAH ROBERTS / REPORTER: ELISABETH LEAMY<br/> <br/> DEBORAH ROBERTS (ABC NEWS): (Off-camera) Now a 'GMA" 'Consumer Alert." Should safe drivers who drive less than others pay lower car insurance premiums?<br/> <br/> GRAPHIC...
Massachusetts uninsured don’t like mandatory insurance

Massachusetts uninsured don’t like mandatory insurance

The Harvard School of Public Health and Massachusetts’ Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation trumpeted the <a href="http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/press-releases/2008-releases/hsph-bcbs-poll-strong-support-for-ma-health-reform-law.html">r</a><a href="http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/press-releases/2008-releases/hsph-bcbs-poll-strong-support-for-ma-health-reform-law.html">esults of a poll today</a> that found...
Buying Private Health Insurance

Buying Private Health Insurance

<p> Think shopping home and auto policies is fun? Try buying your own health insurance. As companies cut corners and more entrepreneurs strike out on their own, the individual health insurance market is growing. </p>
State Weighs ‘Pay As You Drive’ Insurance

State Weighs ‘Pay As You Drive’ Insurance

Would you cut back on driving if your insurance company charged by the mile, and maybe by the way you handle your ride?<br/> <br/> Some state lawmakers and regulators are betting many Californians will.<br/> <br/> Insurance Commissioner Steve...
Allstate Must Slash Homeowner Rates

Allstate Must Slash Homeowner Rates

Allstate Insurance Corp., the state's third-largest home insurer, was ordered yesterday to slash its homeowner's rates by 28.5 percent in one of the deepest rate cuts ever required by the state Department of Insurance.<br/> <br/> The rate...
Calif to Seek Fines Against Blue Cross, Shield

Calif to Seek Fines Against Blue Cross, Shield

LOS ANGELES, CA -- California health insurance regulators are scrutinizing 1,770 patient policies canceled by Anthem Blue Cross to see if they can impose a penalty stiffer than a $1 million fine they announced but never enforced last year.<br/> ...
Privacy threat of insurance bill far from ‘nonsense’

Privacy threat of insurance bill far from ‘nonsense’

<p> <a href="http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/insurance/articles/?storyId=21156"> “Silly,” “extravagant,”</a> a <a href="http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/insurance/articles/?storyId=21193">“phantom issue,” and “nonsensical.”</a><br /> <br /> That’s what Assemblyman Jared Huffman had to say about consumer and privacy advocates’ concerns... </p>
Insurer to Cut Rates for Homeowner Coverage

Insurer to Cut Rates for Homeowner Coverage

<strong>Californians with Fireman's Fund will be paying 17.9% less</strong><br/> <br/> California customers of Fireman's Fund Insurance Co. can expect to save an average of $505 on their annual homeowner's coverage as part of 17.9% rate...