Insurance

Arnold’s $800,000 Star Chamber

March 13, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">What happens when you mix Arnold's star quality with a private commission that looks like it was drawn up by the Chamber of Commerce? You get the Star Chamber that the Governor has dubbed his...</font>

Donabedian v. Mercury Insurance

March 12, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Court of Appeal decision</h3>

Consumers Can Sue Insurers Over Rates, Appeals Court Says

March 12, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p> <b>The decision in a case filed against a Mercury General unit upholds a key part of the auto reform Proposition 103.</b></p>

Schwarzenegger names donors, supporters to Calif jobs panel

March 11, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>The commission "creates a huge potential for conflicts of interest across the board," said Carmen Balber of FTCR, a consumer advocacy group, comparing it to the controversial industry group that advised VP Dick Cheney on energy issues.</p>

County goes to bat for rural drivers

March 11, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Supervisors say insurance rates go up under plan</h3><p class="source">Tulare Advance-Register (Tulare, CA)</p> <p>A petition before Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi has asked that an investigation of how some factors, such as where a person lives, dictate the cost of car insurance.The petitioners include FTCR and the cities of LA, SF and Oakland.</p>

Kaiser campaign donation chided

March 10, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Oakland Tribune</p> <p>"Kaiser has invested$100,000 of our premium dollars into removing consumer rights and accountability," said Jerry Flanagan of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights.</p>

Insurance rates for vehicles discussed

March 10, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Residents at a Fresno hearing voice concerns about increases.</h3><p class="source">Fresno Bee (California)</p> <p>Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi said "This system is unfair. You ask the industry or others why it happens and they shrug their shoulders. ... The insurance industry says this will raise rates throughout California. That is a lie."</p>

Car Consumers Lose a Champion

March 10, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">In his speeches, Arnold extolls the Golden Age of California. However, his actions as governor - including a freeze on all pending government regulations, a rehash of every rule passed in the...</font>

NUMBER OF BOGUS HEALTH INSURANCE ISSUERS PROLIFERATING

March 7, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Daily News of Los Angeles</p> <p>"The problem is that the rise in unlicensed plans is a symptom of the affordability crisis in the California market," said Jerry Flanagan, health care advocate FTCR in Santa Monica. "And oftentimes there is no promise for health care savings."</p>

ALLSTATE SETTLES CALIFORNIA INSURANCE-SCORING DISPUTE FOR $3 MILLION

March 5, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">BestWire</p> <p>The initiative's sponsor, the Santa Monica-based Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, has argued that consideration of a policyholder's credit history unfairly discriminates against lower-income and minority residents, which Allstate vehemently</p>

Temperature rising: Kaiser’s income soars;

March 3, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>2003 revenue up despite membership drop</h3><p class="source">Alameda Times-Star (Alameda, CA)</p> <p>"I'm flabbergasted that a nonprofit could make this kind of money," said Jamie Court, president of FTCR. "For a nonprofit like Kaiser to have almost $1 billion left over is a tribute to the fact that there is no premium regulation."</p>

Allstate Settles Over Use of Credit Scores

March 2, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>The $3-million fine is "a significant warning shot" because "it's important for the insurance industry to realize that it will be punished if it crosses the line on credit scoring," said Doug Heller, executive director of FTCR.</p>