Insurance

Insurance news, investigations, and reform — auto, home, and health insurance rates, claims denials, and industry accountability.

Court invalidates auto insurance discount law

January 16, 2004 · Consumer Watchdog

Associated Press "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."

A Ward for Special Interests

January 16, 2004 · Jamie Court

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...

More Workers Are Likely to Retire Without Company Health Benefits

January 15, 2004 · Consumer Watchdog

The Los Angeles Times "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."

Car Insurance Suit

January 15, 2004 · Consumer Watchdog

City News Service 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,

Fewer carry temblor insurance as industry changes its policies;

January 12, 2004 · Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Northridge--10 Years Later</h3>Los Angeles Business Journal "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.

Drug train looks to get lawmakers on board

January 12, 2004 · Jerry Flanagan

Troy Record The Rx Express will be rolling through the Capital District this week en route to Canada to purchase cheaper prescription drugs.

Headed in the right direction; State Farm reorganization well underway

January 11, 2004 · Consumer Watchdog

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

Auto rates could rise;

January 9, 2004 · Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Bid to downplay geography would cause 25 percent increase here.</h3>The San Luis Obispo Tribune 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

Man drops plan for lawsuit over TV addiction

January 8, 2004 · Consumer Watchdog

Associated Press Doug Heller, senior consumer advocate for the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights in Santa Monica, Calif., said he increasingly hears of consumers who have a tough time getting out of contracts.

Share your health care story

January 7, 2004 · Consumer Watchdog

The Californian (Salinas, CA) FTCR has called on the Legislature and governor to keep SB2, and make the system affordable for consumers and business owners by cracking down on profiteering and waste.

ReplayTV placates irate new customers

January 7, 2004 · Consumer Watchdog

The San Francisco Chronicle Consumer advocate Doug Heller of Santa Monica's FTCR, said ReplayTV's actions were "exactly the kind of behavior that reminds us how important it is that we protect consumers' ability to go after businesses that have unfair and deceptive practices."

State of a Special Interest

January 7, 2004 · Carmen Balber

In tonight's 20-minute State of the State address, Arnold is expected to make workers' compensation reform the key to his economic recovery plan. But in tonight's speech, insurance regulation is...