Insurance

Judge To Weigh In On Insurer Refunds

December 9, 2016 · Mark Reback

A request by State Farm to block an order requiring it to issue more than $100 million in premium refunds will be considered next week in San Diego County Superior Court. California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones, citing authority of the state's landmark Proposition 103, ordered the Bloomington, Ill., insurer in November to issue the refunds and lower its homeowner and rental insurance rates.

State Farm Files Lawsuit To Block Historic Rollback in Insurance Rates

December 7, 2016 · Mark Reback

Last month, California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones ordered more than $100 million in refunds for nearly 2 million State Farm policy owners, alleging the company charged excessive rates for its homeowners and renters insurance. It apparently was the first such refund approved since California’s landmark Proposition 103 rolled back a wide swath of insurance rates nearly three decades ago, marking a significant win for consumer groups.

NHTSA Needs Enforceable Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for Robot Cars

November 23, 2016 · John M. Simpson

The National Highway Safety Administration has apparently bought into the hype from robot car manufacturers<img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-2951" alt="" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/images_nhtsa_0.jpg" style="width: 200px; height: 76px; float: right; margin: 3px;" width="525" height="200" /> and has failed to take necessary steps to protect the nation’s highways.

Plaintiffs Suing Over Anthem Blue Cross Of California Cuts Denied TRO

November 16, 2016 · Mark Reback

(Reuters) - The plaintiff in a proposed class action accusing Anthem Blue Cross of California of engaging in a "bait and switch" by telling its individual customers that it will renew their health insurance plans for next year while actually slashing benefits has lost a motion for a temporary restraining order.

Watch Out Trump & Feds, Consumer Watchdog Is Watching

November 13, 2016 · Mark Reback

Consumer Watchdog continues to look out for automotive safety including the safety of self-driving cars. The advocacy organization is also committed to keeping track of the Trump adminstration. After the presidental election results were announced, Consumer Watchdog’s Jamie Court sent an email to subscribers, supporters and the media. He wrote: <blockquote> “If ever the world needed the Consumer Watchdog community, it is today.

Judge Is Asked To Stop Anthem From Ending Out-Of-Network Coverage For 500,000 Californians

November 12, 2016 · Mark Reback

A consumer group has asked a judge to immediately stop <a href="http://www.latimes.com/topic/business/anthem-inc.-ORCRP001017-topic.html" id="ORCRP001017" title="Anthem Inc.">Anthem</a> Blue Cross from switching 500,000 Californians to health plans offering no coverage for out-of-network care. The dispute is over a change Anthem made to its 2017 plans known as preferred provider organizations, or PPOs, throughout much of the state.

What Now?

November 9, 2016 · Jamie Court

<img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-2949" alt="" class="right" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/images_protesterscwd.png" style="width: 200px; height: 120px; margin-left: 7px; margin-right: 7px; float: right;" width="1902" height="1144" />The balance of power in American politics shifted fundamentally yesterday. I know it’s tough for all of us to wrap our minds around.

California Orders State Farm To Reduce Homeowners’ And Renters’ Rates

November 9, 2016 · Mark Reback

Insurer also ordered to issue refunds California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones issued an order Monday requiring State Farm General Insurance Co. to reduce its dwelling insurance rates by an average of 7 percent, resulting in an estimated $78.6 million in annual savings for California policyholders, according to an announcement by the commissioner’s office. This follows Jones’s announcement on Oct. 19 that State Farm agreed to reduce its rental dwelling rates statewide by an average of 40 percent, effective Feb. 1.

State Farm Rates Going Down For Some After Rate Hikes Deemed Excessive

November 8, 2016 · Mark Reback

If you’re a State Farm Insurance customer, you could be in for a rate reduction from the company. The company has been ordered to reduce its homeowner and rental insurance rates by an average of 7 percent, state Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones announced Monday. The 7 percent decrease will amount to $78.6 million. The homeowner insurance rate will be reduced by an average of 5.37 percent. Renter insurance will be reduced by an average of 20.39 percent. Condominium insurance rate will be reduced by an average of 13.81 percent.

Suit Alleges Anthem Blue Cross Misled California Policyholders

November 4, 2016 · Mark Reback

The fall health insurance enrollment period is shaping up as one to remember. With major insurers abandoning the Affordable Care Act exchanges in some states and premium increases abounding, litigation now promises to add to the tumult. Consumer advocates in California said today they are suing one of the state’s major exchange coverage providers for attempting to force consumers to renew policies that have been significantly altered, to the detriment of the policyholders.

Consumer Watchdog of Santa Monica Sues Anthem Blue Cross

November 2, 2016 · Mark Reback

A Santa Monica-based consumer-advocacy group sued Anthem Blue Cross Tuesday, accusing the insurer of misleading customers by sending them policy renewal notices without adequately warning them the plans no longer provide coverage for out-of-network physicians.

Consumer Group Sues Anthem Blue Cross For Allegedly Misleading Consumers On 2017 Health Plans

November 1, 2016 · Mark Reback

<div class="article-body"> <div class="body-copy"> Calling it a classic “bait and switch,” a California consumer group on Tuesday lashed out at Anthem Blue Cross of California, accusing it of misrepresenting to its customers that the health insurer’s “renewal notice” for 2017 is actually railroading unassuming members into brand-new, bare-bones plans.

Prop 103 California Insurance Reform

New Bill Requires Insurance Companies to Offer and Renew Insurance Coverage for Fire-Safe Homes

Homeowners Dropped by Insurers