Insurance

Calif to Seek Fines Against Blue Cross, Shield

July 7, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

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’

July 3, 2008  ·  Carmen Balber

<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>

Calif Didn’t Try to Collect Anthem Blue Cross Fine

July 3, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

Los Angeles, CA -- California regulators admitted Thursday that for more than a year they didn't even try to enforce a million-dollar fine against health insurer Anthem Blue Cross because they knew they would be outgunned in court.<br/> <br/> In...

Insurer to Cut Rates for Homeowner Coverage

July 2, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<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...

Honesty Can Cost In Auto Policies

June 30, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

Will Californians lie to save money? <p> Apparently. </p> <p> New legislation takes aim at an honor system, of sorts, perhaps one of the few remaining in which millions of dollars are at stake. </p> <p> The measure targets a...</p>

“Pay-As-You-Drive” Workshop Comments To California Department of Insurance

June 30, 2008  ·  Carmen Balber

<p> Download here comments submitted to the Department of Insurance regarding a June 23, 2008 workshop to discuss implementation of "Pay-as-you-drive" insurance in California... </p>

AB 2800: Big Brother Snooping Around Your Car?

June 30, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p> Jared Huffman is generally a good Assemblyman. I mean, he's no Shiela Kuehl or anything, but overall a solid legislator.  Which is why I'm surprised that we're seeing AB 2800, a bill which would allow insurance companies to use...</p>

Bill Aims to Cut Driving, Insurance Rates

June 27, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<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...

Fireman’s Fund Ordered to Cut Homeowners Rates in California

June 27, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p> SACRAMENTO, CA -- California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner has ordered another insurer to lower rates in accordance with revised guidelines adopted last year for the state's Proposition 103.<br/> <br/> Fireman's Fund Insurance...</p>

Fair insurance premiums must go hand in hand with “green” insurance policies

June 24, 2008  ·  Carmen Balber

<p> I went to a Department of Insurance workshop yesterday to talk about what’s been dubbed “Pay as you drive” insurance. What that means depends on who you ask, and just about every opinion was thrown against the wall at... </p>

California Senate Approves Agent-Broker, Spyware Bills

June 20, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

California's Senate Banking, Finance and Insurance Committee approved two bills -- one allowing insurance cmpanies to require spyware to be installed in vehicles, and the other clarifying the duties of an agent versus those of a broker.<br/> Adve...

PacifiCare Agrees to Reinstate Coverage to 60 Patients

June 20, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

The state Department of Managed Health Care and PacifiCare of California have reached a settlement to reinstate health insurance to 60 PacifiCare patients whose coverage was canceled during the past four years.<br/> <br/> Cypress-based...