Insurance

Group calls for probe of Nunez

January 23, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p> A political watchdog group called Tuesday for a state investigation into Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez's channeling of corporate charitable funds through a nonprofit group to bankroll civic events that featured him. </p> ...

Cross-Country Trip Proves Futile

January 19, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<div class="postDetail"> <p style="font-size: 11px"> <span style="font-weight: bold">The Patriot Ledger (Quincy, MA)</span><br/> January 19, 2008 </p> <p style="font-size: 10px"> by Patriot Ledger staff </p> <h2>CROSS-COUNTRY...</h2> </div>

CROSS-COUNTRY TRIP PROVES FUTILE

January 19, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Patriot Ledger (Quincy, MA)</p> <p>Norton, according to the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, wanted to talk about the difficulty he faces in meeting the new Massachusetts requirement for health care coverage, and wanted to speak at a hearing, but that was canceled. Consumer advocates tried to hold a press conference with him in the Capitol, but House Speaker Fabian Nunez ordered the California Highway Patrol officers to give Norton and his crew the boot. </p>

Allstate seeks 9.3% hike in home rates

January 15, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<div class="postDetail"> <p style="font-size: 11px"> <span style="font-weight: bold">Sacramento Bee (California)</span><br/> January 15, 2008 </p> <p style="font-size: 10px"> by Gilbert Chan, The Sacramento Bee, </p> <h2>Allst...</h2> </div>

Allstate seeks 9.3% hike in home rates

January 15, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Sacramento Bee (California)</p> <p>From 1997 to 2004, Allstate said it ranked second among home insurers with $82.5 million in investments. That represents almost 30 percent of the amount all homeowner insurers invested in underserved communities during that period. But Pamela Pressley, an attorney for the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, said the carrier's analysis is flawed. She said Allstate invested only $15 million during the final three years of the survey period. Customers, she said, shouldn't be asked to pay for the company's goodwill. Moreover, Pressley said, "they (Allstate) already are getting some return on investment."</p>

State Lawmakers Zero In On Insurance

January 15, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p> A year after homeowners suffering with sky-high insurance bills were promised "help is on the way," they're still waiting. </p> <p> Now, Florida's lawmakers, regulators and the governor are demanding to know why, mounting...</p>

Speculation on Pump Price Fluctuations

January 14, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<div class="postDetail"> <p style="font-size: 10px"> <span style="font-weight: bold">Associated Press</span><br/> January 14, 2008 </p> <p style="font-size: 10px"> by Associated Press State & Local Wires </p> ...</div>

Speculation on Pump Price Fluctuations

January 14, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>A 2006 study by the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights found corporate markups and profiteering were responsible for price spikes, not rising crude costs as the oil industry claims.</p>

STATES WAITING FOR CALIFORNIA TO SET HEALTH-CARE REFORM TREND

January 14, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">BestWeek</p> <p>That's what makes Douglas Heller, executive director of the California-based Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, nervous. His organization favors a single-payer plan and eyes the California shared-responsibility approach as "a punitive approach to health care that's a giveaway to the insurance companies" that puts the burden on middle-class consumers. That's why we want so badly for California to get it right. Massachusetts may be looked at as a testing ground. California is more of a trendsetter," Heller said. "The nation looks to California."</p>

Proposed Calif. Levy Gets Grudging Nod From Insurers

January 10, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<div class="postDetail"> <p style="font-size: 11px"> <span style="font-weight: bold">BestWire (A.M. Best)</span><br/> January 10, 2008 </p> <p style="font-size: 10px"> by Sean P. Carr, Senior Associate Editor, BestWeek </p> ...</div>

PROPOSED CALIF. LEVY GETS GRUDGING NOD FROM INSURERS

January 10, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">BestWire (A.M. Best)</p> <p>A California-based consumer organization that is currently challenging several companies' insurance rates urged legislators to reject what it called "a tax on consumers." Douglas Heller, executive director of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, said in a statement, "Shared responsibility does not mean making average Californians pay while the governor's insurance company donors just deliver the check to Sacramento."</p>

Mercury Insurance gives $100,000 to Prop 93, watch for Pols to give back

January 10, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p> A $100,000 contribution from Mercury Insurance was just reported to one of the political committees supporting Prop 93 -- the effort to extend current lawmakers terms.  Watch for legislation this year to allow Mercury to get out of...</p>