Insurance

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>

Arnold Lets Workers’ Comp Insurers Off the Hook

November 20, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">In the workers' compensation reforms Arnold introduced today, insurance companies drew a "get-out-of-reform-free" card from the community chest. Arnold's proposal, known as AB 1,...</font>

Officials can’t pinpoint amount of savings in governor’s bill

November 19, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>"Schwarzenegger's bill gives a pass to insurance companies that are currently raking in enormous profits and forces injured workers and overcharged businesses to pay the price," said Carmen Balber of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights.</p>

$100K From Special Interest for Special Session

November 19, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">Day 2 of the Arnold Administration -- If we told you that the governor accepted a huge campaign contribution from the state's largest private workers' compensation insurer just before opening a...</font>

CONTEST ENCOURAGES CALIFORNIA REFORMS

November 18, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Press Enterprise (Riverside, CA)</p> <p>The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights is sponsoring a contest to generate new ideas for removing waste and profiteering from the health-care system while not cutting back on programs or access to care.</p>

Rising stock markets help to stem upward trend in insurance rates

November 17, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Los Angeles Business Journal</p> <p>"The insurance industry operates on a cycle," said Douglas Heller, an insurance specialist with FTCR. "When investment opportunities are strong, they want premium dollars to invest, and when the market is weak they want to close the doors."</p>

Proposition 103’s Impact on Auto Insurance Premiums in California

November 10, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>15th Anniversary Report</h3> <p>On November 8, 1988 California voters approved the landmark insurance reform initiative, Proposition 103. After 15 years, it has saved consumers billions of dollars, even as premiums rose nationally.</p>