Insurance

SOUTHLAND BLAZES: HELP FOR HOMEOWNERS — Before smoke has cleared, insurers roll in;

October 25, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Mobile units set up in affected areas. A top state official predicts 'hundreds of millions of dollars' in damage.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>The latest fires are just the sort of catastrophe that prompted third-ranked Allstate Corp. in May to stop writing new policies for homeowners. The insurer also is seeking a major rate increase for current policyholders, citing danger from fires. That could spell trouble for California homeowners "if other insurance companies choose to look at it like that," warned Douglas Heller of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights in Santa Monica.</p>

When health insurance dumps you;

October 25, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>State works to protect consumers from having health coverage pulled</h3><p class="source">THE SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE (California)</p> <p>At least one consumer group is concerned the new regulations still leave too much power in the hands of insurers. "They leave it up to the plans to investigate, and the insurance company has a financial incentive to deny as many people as possible," said Jerry Flanagan, health advocate for the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights in Santa Monica. He said he would like regulators to play a more active role in mediating rescission disputes.</p>

The Next Battle for Wildfire Victims: Insurance

October 23, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Consumers could get stiffed on reimbursement for razed homes, and even get dropped by their insurance companies, consumer advocates warn.</h3><p class="source">CNNMoney.com</p> <p>Experts like Doug Heller, executive director for Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, worry about is how much money will be available when it comes time for customers to rebuild their homes. "That's the real concern for me at least," said Heller. "Will they actually fulfill their advertisements?" One of the biggest controversies erupted in 2003, when fires ravaged San Diego and San Bernardino counties. Consumers found themselves under-insured because their policy limits were not raised to reflect their home values, said Heller. That meant homeowners had to pay the difference. "I think there is a question as to whether insurance companies learned from 2003 and have made sure that policyholders have enough coverage," said Heller.</p>

What if the UC system lost state funding?

October 22, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">San Jose Mercury News (California)</p> <p>"I see privatization happening right now," said John M. Simpson, consumer advocate for the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights in Santa Monica. "It is wrong to have this fundamental shift in what the people in California have believed all these years without a public debate."</p>

34 percent of area gas stations fail pump tests in last three years

October 21, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale)</p> <p>Devices that shortchange customers are taken out of service until they are fixed and reinspected. Pumps that err in consumers' favor are not shut down. "It is difficult to tell when a pump is cheating you," said Judy Dugan, founder and research director for Oilwatchdog.org, a nonprofit consumer advocacy group based in Santa Monica, Calif. "But the key issue here is does anybody [gas station owners] ever pay a price for cheating?"</p>

Auto insurance reforms set to equalize rates face a deadline

October 21, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Inside Bay Area (California)</p> <p>Prop. 103 is "all about giving drivers a fair shake," said Doug Heller, executive director of the Foundation for Taxpayers and Consumer Rights. Under the old system, urban drivers can end up paying for insurance that is hundreds of dollar higher than drivers in other areas.</p>

Insurance providers want your attention

October 15, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The San Diego Union-Tribune</p> <p>Proposition 103 created an elected state insurance commissioner, an office now held by Steve Poizner, and requires that auto insurers get the approval of the state Department of Insurance before adjusting their rates. The insurance industry, which backed three unsuccessful alternative initiatives to Proposition 103 in a campaign that set spending records, has continued the fight in the courts, the Legislature and the regulatory process.</p>

Home Insurers’ Secret Tactics Cheat Victims, Hike Profits

October 14, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Companies pay out less, make $73 billion more</h3><p class="source">The Biloxi Sun Herald (Mississippi)</p> <p>Insurance companies are no longer following their mandate to take care of policyholders' money and then pay it out when needed, says Douglas Heller, executive director of the nonprofit Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights in Santa Monica, California. "The whole purpose of insurance is evaporating before our eyes as we continue to send checks to the companies," Heller says. "Insurers are looking to shed their purpose as a risk bearer and become financial institutions."</p>

Health insurance lessons from Massachusetts;

October 13, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>UNIVERSAL COVERAGE TOUGHER IN CALIFORNIA</h3><p class="source">San Jose Mercury News (California)</p> <p>"Massachusetts faced far fewer hurdles in reforming its health care system than California does," said Carmen Balber of the Santa Monica-based Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, which is tracking Massachusetts' efforts and says California needs to regulate insurance rates as part of any health reform effort. "Nevertheless, as far as the affordability of health care goes, it's not working there."</p>

US insurers push for federal oversight

October 11, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Financial Times (London, England)</p> <p>However, some consumer groups say a federal charter could threaten state consumer protection laws. Carmen Balber, spokeswoman for the non-profit Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, also notes that Mr Kanjorski's renewed interest in regulatory reform comes as insurance companies are among his top corporate donors. Other defenders of the status quo say states have been reforming and there is no need for a federal solution.</p>

Insurers vs. lawyers: What’s behind the fight;

October 10, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Ads fast, furious - Gregoire: "I don't believe any of the stuff that I'm seeing" - Election 2007 - Referendum 67</h3><p class="source">The Seattle Times</p> <p>Doug Heller, who tracks insurance issues for the California-based Foundation for Taxpayer & Consumer Rights, said he was surprised to learn that Washington policyholders can only recover actual damages in lawsuits against their own insurers. Washington is one of a handful of states that does not allow punitive damages in liability lawsuits. "It's like catching a bank robber and simply making them give the money back," Heller said. "That's not justice. That gives the bank robber the ability to play the odds."</p>

Your rights and Referendum 67

October 7, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Olympian (Olympia, Washington)</p> <p>Doug Heller of the Foundation for Taxpayer & Consumer Rights, based in Santa Monica, Calif., said Washington's insurance commissioner could help hold down premiums in the state by making sure that litigation costs are not passed on to consumers. Heller said Washington's current law makes the state one of the weakest in the country for consumer protections in insurance.</p>