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Consumer Watchdog

Insurance

Insurance news, investigations, and reform — auto, home, and health insurance rates, claims denials, and industry accountability.
Bill Aims to Cut Driving, Insurance Rates

Bill Aims to Cut Driving, Insurance Rates

<strong>Huffman Legislation Would Tie Fewer Miles to Lower Premiums; Opponents Cite Privacy Concerns</strong><br/> <br/> California motorists should be entitled to save money on car insurance -- while they help the environment -- by driving...
Health Care Bill Could Limit Recourse

Health Care Bill Could Limit Recourse

<strong>Advocates Fear Measure Will Tilt Toward Insurers</strong><br/> <br/> LOS ANGELES, CA -- A health insurance reform bill, intended to cure the pain of rescinded policyholders, could have a serious side effect: strict new limits on when...
It’s a Buyer’s Market for Auto Insurance

It’s a Buyer’s Market for Auto Insurance

<p> <strong>Fewer accidents on state roads translate into lower rates, which are not hard to find.</strong> </p> <p> Getting too much junk mail touting low automobile insurance rates? Being bombarded by television commercials featuring a...</p>
Watch the stem cell rules changes

Watch the stem cell rules changes

<p> The <a href="http://www.cirm.ca.gov" target="_blank" rel="noopener">state stem cell agency</a> is refining the policies that govern the way $3 billion in grants are administered. One proposed change really had me wondering when I read it. </p>
Mercury Cutting Rates In State

Mercury Cutting Rates In State

<strong>About 1.7 Million Customers Will Save On Auto, Home Policies</strong><br/> <br/> Mercury General Corp., a Los Angeles-based low-cost insurer, today is expected to announce rate cuts for about 1.7 million of its automobile and homeowner...
Fire sale on “I Voted” stickers

Fire sale on “I Voted” stickers

<p> This was the first time since the 1940's that California has held two primaries in one year. In their zeal to place <a href="http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=3314">term limit-extending Proposition 93</a><a href="http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=3314"> on an early February ballot</a>, lawmakers split California's presidential primary date from the lower-profile legislative primaries and guaranteed that few would show for the separate statewide vote in June. <br /> <br /> If termed-out legislators had pulled off a win in February with Prop 93, they would have cake-walked to re-election yesterday in California's lowest-turnout primary election in history.... </p>
Keep strategic planning open, inclusive

Keep strategic planning open, inclusive

<p> Dr. Alan Trounson, the California stem cell institute's president, wants to revise the agency's <a href="http://www.cirm.ca.gov/meetings/pdf/2006/12/120706_item_7.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">strategic plan.</a>  The effort is needed, but Trounson must remain true to the process that developed the original document.<br /> </p>