Consumer Watchdog

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Consumer Watchdog

Insurance

Insurance news, investigations, and reform — auto, home, and health insurance rates, claims denials, and industry accountability.
Governor finally holds capital fund-raiser

Governor finally holds capital fund-raiser

<h3>600 contributors pay at least $500 to attend twice-canceled event.</h3><p class="source">The Sacramento Bee</p> <p>"He hasn't met with a single consumer group since taking office," protester Jerry Flanagan said. "And the policies he's been rolling out reflect the interests of the insurance industry executives he's in there wining and dining with."</p>
Access Denied

Access Denied

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">"People here tonight are paying more for dinner with Arnold Schwarzenegger than I make in an entire year as a disabled worker on workers compensation," Jodi Greggs of Sacramento said...</font>
Sky-Boxing with Arnold

Sky-Boxing with Arnold

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">ArnoldWatch was understandably disappointed when the Lakers refused us a jumbo-tron advertisement at Staples Center for last Friday's basketball game -- where donors paid at least $10,000 per...</font>
Insurer may stay on legal hot seat

Insurer may stay on legal hot seat

<p class="source">Copley News Service</p> <p>"State insurance regulators don't consistently hear about these kinds of cases, but when we start seeing lawsuits and settlements, it indicates there is a deeper problem and regulators should investigate," said Doug Heller, a spokesman for FTCR.</p>
Insurance rates face scrutiny

Insurance rates face scrutiny

<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

Insurance based on ZIP code irks drivers

<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

Advocates seek reforms on insurance

<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;

Sting of high insurance spurs probe;

<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

The Safe Way to Lower Labor Costs

<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

Funds Rise, Sun Sets

<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>