Insurance

Insurance rates face scrutiny

December 5, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>ZIP codes often determine how much drivers pay</h3><p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>Consumer groups are seeking to tighten a loophole in a state regulation that allows car insurers to charge higher rates to customers based on where they live instead of how they drive.</p>

Insurance based on ZIP code irks drivers

December 5, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>'It's insurance company larceny. We're being penalized because of where we live.'</h3><p class="source">The Oakland Tribune</p> <p>Consumer groups want Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi to adopt a petition filed in May that would make insurance companies give less weight to ZIP codes and more to a person's driving record when setting premiums.</p>

Advocates seek reforms on insurance

December 5, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Contra Costa Times</p> <p>Harvey Rosenfeld said insurance companies are circumventing Prop 103, the insurance reform measure he authored. He stood on the "right" side of Broadway at the corner of 41st St. on Thursday morning to show how ZIP codes influence insurance rates.</p>

Sting of high insurance spurs probe;

December 3, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Granholm seeks reasons for soaring home, auto rates</h3><p class="source">The Detroit News</p> <p>Critics say its no coincidence that rates accelerated when the stock market turned down following the buoyant decade of the 1990s. During that time insurers made so much money in stock investments they weren't forced to raise rates in line with claims</p>

The Safe Way to Lower Labor Costs

December 3, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">Arnold just recorded another $15,000 from Safeway, the supermarket, on top of $16,200 registered five days before and another $5,000 from Safeway President Steve Burd. That's a total of $36,200....</font>

Funds Rise, Sun Sets

December 2, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">A governor who claims to want greater sunshine in government should at least let the public know the truth about his fundraisers. Arnold's public schedule for Tuesday, December 2nd fails to...</font>

At mercy of insurance companies? Some wildfire claimants told premiums will rise

November 30, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The San Diego Union-Tribune</p> <p>Doug Heller, a consumer advocate with the Santa Monica-based Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, was surprised to hear while searching for lower premiums that he had once filed a claim for theft. He had not.</p>

Testimony Under Oath Gives Special Interest the “Willies”

November 25, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">As ArnoldWatch reported Thursday, in its effort to get to the truth underlying the crisis in workers' comp, the Senate has taken the unusual step of requiring all participants in the on-going...</font>

Workers’ Comp Will Come Out Under Oath

November 21, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">Arnoldwatch has learned that insurance company executives will have to testify under oath in the state senate -- risking perjury -- about their companies' role in the workers' compensation...</font>

$50/Hour for Elvis Impersonator but $52,400 for Terminator

November 21, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">We've seen all kinds of celebrity impersonators show up at car dealerships for a grand opening or end-of-year sale. But to get the real deal, you need to do something special. And guess what:...</font>

WORKING THE WEB FOR INSURANCE INFORMATION

November 20, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">North County Times</p> <p>Some insurance advocate sites online: United Policyholders: www.unitedpolicyholders.org, Insurance Consumer Advocate Network: www.ican2000.com and the Foundation for Taxpayer & Consumer Rights: www.consumerwatchdog.org</p>

Governor makes pro-business pick;

November 20, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Chamber of Commerce executive named Schwarzenegger's deputy chief of staff.</h3><p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>Costigan's appointment Nov. 7 brought a rebuke from the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, a consumer group, which warned that "big corporations shouldn't be the gatekeepers of society's policy matters."</p>