Insurance

Doctor insurer’s rates and perks up;

January 2, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Big bonuses alleged for top executives</h3><p class="source">Belleville News-Democrat (Illinois)</p> <p>Goyal's charges foreshadowed conclusions reached in a report issued Friday by the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, of Santa Monica, Calif. The group describes itself as a non-profit consumer education and advocacy organization. The report, titled "False Accounting," accuses medical malpractice insurers nationwide of exaggerating the amounts paid out in claims as part of a campaign to justify high rate increases.</p>

60% of Californians Support Universal Health Care — What’s Your Vote?

January 1, 2006  ·  Jerry Flanagan

<p> Which would you prefer — the current health insurance system in the United States, in which most people get their health insurance from private employers, but some people have no insurance, or a universal health insurance program,...</p>

Current Proposals for Universal Health Care

January 1, 2006  ·  Jerry Flanagan

<p> <strong>Proposal:</strong> Senate Bill 840 (Senator Sheila Kuehl) </p> <p> <strong>Status:</strong> Pending in California Legislature </p> <p> <a href="http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/healthcare/SB840"><img src="http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/images/SFtownhall.jpg" border="0" align="right"/>...</a> </p>

False Accounting: How Medical Malpractice Insurance Companies Inflate Losses to Justify Sudden Surges in Rates and Tort Reform

December 29, 2005  ·  Harvey Rosenfield

<!-- excerpt --> <p> In this study, the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights (FTCR) reviews the loss projections of medical malpractice insurance companies, beginning with the 'insurance crisis' of the mid-1980s. The data show that medical malpractice insurers have historically inflated their loss projections and then revised their reported losses downward in subsequent years. The 'incurred losses' that medical malpractice insurance companies initially reported for policies in effect in each of the years examined were, on average, 46% higher than the amount the insurers actually paid out on those policies. </p>

Calculating Malpractice Claims

December 29, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Study by Consumers Group Suggests Insurers Set Premiums Based on Market, Not Their Losses</h3>

GOOD DRIVERS’ RATES TO DIP;

December 29, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<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

December 28, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">As Arnold has twisted and turned on the question of accepting campaign contributions, he has always claimed that he wouldn't take money from businesses that do business with the state (...</font>

Insurance rates under fire;

December 24, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<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;

December 24, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<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;

December 24, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<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

December 24, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<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;

December 20, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<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. </p>