Insurance

Auto Insurance Premiums Higher on the ‘Wrong Side’ of ZIP Code, Groups Say

January 23, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">City News Service</p> <p>Harvey Rosenfield is author of Prop 103. "The voters (who passed Prop. 103) are looking to Insurance Commissioner Garamendi to correct this injustice, so that drivers who have a good safety record don't end up paying higher premiums</p>

CAPS AREN’T THE CURE;

January 22, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>THESE STEPS ARE NEEDED TO END THE MALPRACTICE INSURANCE CRISIS</h3><p class="source">Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Pennsylvania)</p> <p>"Caps themselves had no effect other than to further line the pockets of insurance companies," said Carmen Balber, a consumer advocate with the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights in California.</p>

What’s ‘special’ to Arnold?

January 17, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Los Angeles Daily News</p> <p>Which rules stay and which don't will say a lot about whether Schwarzenegger really is different or just another pay-to-play politician of the sort Californians rebelled against in last fall's recall election.</p>

Governor stretches his donation rules;

January 16, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>SPECIAL INTERESTS CIRCUMVENT STANDARD, REFORMERS COMPLAIN</h3><p class="source">San Jose Mercury News (California)</p> <p>"By his own definition, this breaks the promise of taking money from specific special interests," said Jamie Court, president of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights.</p>

Court invalidates auto insurance discount law

January 16, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>"It's a victory for the people," said Doug Heller, advocate with FTCR. "Judge Janavs stood foursquare as did the insurance commissioner to protect the public from unfair surcharges the public banned 15 years ago."</p>

A Ward for Special Interests

January 16, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">Given the $15.9 million Arnold has raised from well-heeled donors who want a say over state policy, it's not surprising that the Gov would appoint a banker -- Bank of America executive Randal...</font>

More Workers Are Likely to Retire Without Company Health Benefits

January 15, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Los Angeles Times</p> <p>"This is a retreat from the promise that companies have made to workers since World War II," said Jamie Court, president of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights in Santa Monica. "It's an abrogation of a social contract."</p>

Car Insurance Suit

January 15, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">City News Service</p> <p>Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Dzintra Janavs agreed with the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights -- which filed suit to prevent the measure's implementation -- that SB 841 should be invalidated because it unlawfully amends Prop 103,</p>

Fewer carry temblor insurance as industry changes its policies;

January 12, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Northridge--10 Years Later</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Business Journal</p> <p>"The insurance industry knows it has the public over a barrel, and their response to the Northridge earthquake was this kind of broad attempt to reduce exposure across the board," said Doug Heller, an insurance specialist with FTCR.</p>

Drug train looks to get lawmakers on board

January 12, 2004  ·  Jerry Flanagan

<p class="source">Troy Record</p> <p>The Rx Express will be rolling through the Capital District this week en route to Canada to purchase cheaper prescription drugs.</p>

Headed in the right direction; State Farm reorganization well underway

January 11, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Pantagraph (Bloomington, IL)</p> <p>The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights criticized the companies for their "investment follies" during the stock market boom of the late 1990s.</p>

Auto rates could rise;

January 9, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Bid to downplay geography would cause 25 percent increase here.</h3><p class="source">The San Luis Obispo Tribune</p> <p>The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, one of the groups petitioning Garamendi for a change, counters that most consumers would see their rates altered only slightly. Bad drivers and good drivers would see the biggest increases and decreases, it</p>