Insurance

$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>

Insurance Reform

November 10, 2003  ·  Harvey Rosenfield

<p class="source">City News Service</p> <p>Auto insurance rates in California have fallen 22 percent in the 15 years since voters approved Prop 103, an insurance reform plan, the author of the initiative said today.</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>

Schwarzenegger names chamber lobbyist Legislative Secretary

November 8, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>Friday's appointment quickly drew criticism from consumer activists worried that business would have too much influence over the new governor.</p>

FARMERS DEFENDS USE OF ZIP CODES

November 6, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Daily News of Los Angeles</p> <p>California motorists spend as much as $600 more a year for insurance because of where they live, with policyholders in lower-income areas generally seeing greater spikes in premiums, according to The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights.</p>

RISING INSURANCE COSTS HIT HOME;

November 3, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>FIRES IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AND FLOODS IN WASHINGTON STATE ARE LIKELY TO FUEL THE TREND THAT'S SURPRISING HOMEOWNERS</h3><p class="source">The Oregonian</p> <p>"Insurance companies are punishing customers for having the gall to use their product," said Doug Heller of FTCR in Santa Monica, Calif. Customers who file claims "are going to have this scarlet letter, they're on a blacklist."</p>

Bills bring pain

November 2, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The News & Observer (Raleigh, North Carolina)</p> <p>Aiming to make companies of all kinds more accountable for the bills they send, the Foundation for Taxpayer & Consumer Rights is drafting a "Bill-payers Bill of Rights" that would require companies to itemize all bills.</p>

Fire losses may not raise Valley insurance premiums

November 2, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Fresno Bee (California)</p> <p>Doug Heller, senior consumer advocate for the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, based in Santa Monica, said California has excellent safeguards in place to guard against unjustified insurance-rate increases.</p>

Fire victims in California may not get from their insurance companies what they expect

October 31, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">CBS Evening News (6:30 PM ET)</p> <p>Mr. DOUG HELLER (FTCR): The insurance industry is in the position of power, so when you have an industry in the position of power, you need to have a police present, the regulators, the insurance commissioner with a watchful eye making sure that they don</p>

Fires deliver huge hit to insurers;

October 30, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Industry says it's too early to tell whether rate increases will be needed to cushion blow</h3><p class="source">Alameda Times-Star (Alameda, CA)</p> <p>Doug Heller, consumer advocate with the Santa Monica-based Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumers Rights, said talking about the possibility of rate increases is the last thing he expects insurers to do at this time.</p>