Insurance

Fires ignite insurance fears

October 29, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Huge home losses in Southern California could push rates higher, but the state will review requests.</h3><p class="source">Sacramento Bee</p> <p>"The insurance industry will look to exploit this tragedy to serve their interests, to push for rate increases," said Heller, of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights in Santa Monica.</p>

Fire could bring rise in insurance premiums;

October 29, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>HIGHER HOMEOWNER RATES POSSIBLE STATEWIDE, SOME SAY</h3><p class="source">San Jose Mercury News (California)</p> <p>"There is no doubt the insurance companies are right now considering the rate hikes they will want to impose not just on fire victims but statewide," said Doug Heller of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights.</p>

Disaster: Insurance Claims Checklist

October 28, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<!-- excerpt --> <p> In most states, laws require insurance companies to pay claims promptly and for the full amount covered by the policy. However, as most consumers know, getting an insurance company to pay your claim can be a difficult and stressful experience. The following ch </p>

Insurers, industry watchdogs prepare for SoCal fire’s aftermath

October 28, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>Those trends don't bode well for the Southern California victims, said Harvey Rosenfield, who heads the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights. "Insurers are going to try to hold on to every dollar that they can," he predicted.</p>

Senate panel hears debate on federal regulatory role

October 27, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Business Insurance</p> <p>Support may be growing for some sort of federal role in insurance regulation, if the testimony of witnesses at a Senate Commerce Committee hearing last week is any indication.</p>

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA FIRESTORMS; Dangers Serve as Coverage Reminders;

October 27, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Homeowners should inventory belongings for insurance. After a fire, they are advised to be alert and handle any problems quickly.</h3><p class="source">The Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Douglas Heller with FTCR, a watchdog group, said homeowners should contact the state Insurance Department immediately if they have problems getting claims settled -- and be sure to get all communication with carriers in writing.</p>

Options eyed for high insurance costs;

October 26, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Maine, California provide models for universal coverage</h3><p class="source">The Tallahassee Democrat</p> <p>"It's the biggest thing in health care since Medicare or Medicaid. It requires employers to buy health care for employees," said Jerry Flanagan, an advocate with FTCR in California. "It will provide health insurance for a million more people."</p>

Energy issue will test Schwarzenegger’s skills

October 26, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Contra Costa Times (California)</p> <p>The embrace of the dispatched governor's energy policies by the new administration promises to play like "a Schwarzenegger movie in which the hero kills the enemy and steals his identity," said Doug Heller, senior consumer advocate with FTCR.</p>

Declaration of Chris Micheli, Mercury Insurance Lobbyist

October 24, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>FTCR et al v. John Garamendi</h3> <p>The declaration of Mercury Insurance Lobbyist, Chris Micheli, concerning the firm's interaction with the office of Governor Gray Davis regarding SB 841 (2003)</p>

Health executive to be chief of staff for Schwarzenegger

October 23, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Mary Anne Ostrom and Ann E. Marimow; Mercury News</h3><p class="source">San Jose Mercury News (California)</p> <p>Some consumer advocates are worried about her HMO ties. Jerry Flanagan of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights said, ''An HMO lobbyist does not deserve to be a leading part of an administration that has pledged to stand up to special interest</p>

Insurance companies using incentives to encourage members to become healthier

October 22, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">CBS-TV Evening News (6:30 PM ET)</p> <p>Mr. COURT: This is very much, I think, a marketing strategy to attract the best risks. But what does that mean for the people who are sick or older or chronically ill?</p>

HMO PROFITS RISING AGAIN; PREMIUM INCREASES MAY FUEL 16% GAIN

October 22, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Daily News of Los Angeles</p> <p>Jaime Court, president of The Foundation For Taxpayer & Consumer Rights in Santa Monica said, "The supermarket and mass-transit strikes are the ripple effects of the excesses and greed of an insurance industry that has bought Sacramento."</p>