Insurance

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>

Wanted: your good name: identity theft can ruin your family’s financial history.

March 1, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Here's how scammers operate and how you can stop them.</h3><p class="source">Better Homes and Gardens Magazine</p> <p>Buying personal information is all too easy for tech-savvy theives, says Jamie court, president of the California-based Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights (FTCR)</p>

State Farm fight 3 years long, with no end in sight

February 29, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Houston Chronicle</p> <p>"Insurers get to hold the money and reap the investment rewards," said Doug Heller, of California-based FTCR. "The insurance company may have the resources to fight it out, but what's the low-income policyholder going to do?"</p>

Senator blasts colleagues

February 28, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Contra Costa Times (California)</p> <p>The inquiry on Senator Don Perata was spurred by a letter from the Santa Monica-based FTCR. The consumer advocacy group said it was concerned Perata may have used the affiliation to launder money and enrich himself.</p>

A Remedy for Shakedowns

February 27, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Chamber of Commerce President Allan Zaremberg maintains that the initiative would "stop these shakedown lawsuits before they happen." Yes, but like the Pacheco bill, it would make it very difficult for citizens, businesses & consumer groups to file justif</p>

Johnson puts starpower behind debtless ‘Magic’ money cards

February 25, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">San Bernardino Sun (California)</p> <p>With many underserved communities dependent on check-cashing stores for their banking needs, prepaid debit cards are a viable alternative, according to Harvey Rosenfield, with the Santa Monica-based Foundation For Taxpayer & Consumer Rights.</p>