Calculating Malpractice Claims
<h3>Study by Consumers Group Suggests Insurers Set Premiums Based on Market, Not Their Losses</h3>
Insurance
Insurance news, investigations, and reform — auto, home, and health insurance rates, claims denials, and industry accountability.
GOOD DRIVERS’ RATES TO DIP;
<h3>AUTO INSURANCE PREMIUMS TO BE BASED ON RECORD, NOT HOME'S ZIP CODE</h3><p class="source">The Daily News of Los Angeles</p>
<p>"The people who are going to pay more are the bad drivers who've been subsidized all these years by good drivers all throughout California,'' said FTCR founder Harvey Rosenfield, who authored Proposition 103.</p>
An Enterprising Contribution
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turned on the question of accepting campaign contributions, he has
always claimed that he wouldn't take money from businesses that do
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Insurance rates under fire;
<h3>State Commissioner Garamendi wants drivers to pay based on safety records, not ZIP codes</h3><p class="source">Sacramento Bee (California)</p>
<p>Consumer groups that accuse insurers of overcharging good drivers refuted claims that costs will rise under the proposed regulations. "Insurers have bitterly fought this. They have been trying to frighten people," said Harvey Rosenfield of the Santa Monica-based Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights and author of Proposition 103.</p>
Changes sought in auto insurance;
<h3>Garamendi: Give record more weight than the ZIP code</h3><p class="source">THE SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE</p>
<p>Garamendi characterized the changes as the final implementation of Prop. 103, which was approved by voters in 1988. That proposition required insurance companies to concentrate on issues like a driver's history as they set rates, but consumer groups have long complained that former Insurance Commissioner Charles Quackenbush weakened Prop. 103 with regulations he imposed.</p>
Insurance Plan May Shift Auto Rates in State;
<h3>California's top regulator says he will propose giving more weight to motorists' records and miles driven than to where they live.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p>
<p>"We have the prospect that our auto insurance rates are finally going to be based on factors that are within our control," said Harvey Rosenfield, author of Proposition 103 and founder of the Santa Monica-based Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights. "People who drive long distances, have poor driving records or have little experience behind the wheel will pay more.</p>
Insurance commissioner seeks new rules for setting auto rates
<p class="source">Associated Press</p>
<p>The foundation (FTCR) was a driving force behind the voter approval of Proposition 103. The initiative gave the Department of Insurance the authority to regulate auto insurance rates in California and led to $1.2 billion in rebates to California motorists during the early 1990s.</p>
Study Alleges Racial Bias in Auto Rates;
<h3>Those in mostly black or Latino areas are found to pay more. Insurers dispute the data.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p>
<p>"The challenge before John Garamendi is whether to end the lingering racism in our auto insurance system or let it linger for another decade," said Doug Heller, executive director of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights.
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Pursuing The Scarcer Moviegoers
<p class="source">The New York Times</p>
<p>Asked about the proposals, Douglas Heller, executive director of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, said that blocking phones might be a cure worse than the illness. ''It doesn't sound like it's a plan that's been really thought out,'' he said. ''There's a legitimate reaction against cellphone use in theaters, by moviegoers and theater owners. But I don't think the public is going to react very well to being handled in this way.''</p>
Shop carefully for health-care insurance
<p class="source">Marketplace Morning Report - NPR</p>
<p>For some workers, it's time to choose a health plan for the coming year or make changes to the existing policy. At the same time health savings accounts and the like are giving people a lot more decisions to make about their health insurance. Consumer advocate Jamie Court says shopping for health care isn't like shopping for Christmas presents. Buyer, beware.</p>
AMA accused of deceiving D.C. Council panel
<p class="source">The Washington Times</p>
<p>The Foundation for Taxpayer & Consumer Rights is accusing lawyer Robert R. McMillan, a member of the AMA's board of trustees, of intentionally deceiving council members.</p>
Gov. Demotes Deputy, Puts 2 Republicans in Key Roles
<p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p>
<p>"That, more than any of these other moves, is pretty brazen, to put the insurance industry's longtime chief lobbyist at the helm of the administration," said Doug Heller with FTCR. "It's a startling move that should raise real concerns for California citizens. This is the insurance industry's top lobbyist."</p>