Insurance

The Big Corporate Money Behind Jerry Brown

August 26, 2016 · Mark Reback

<div class="post_content" itemprop="articleBody"> This November 4 will be the second anniversary of the passage of Proposition 1, Governor Jerry Brown’s controversial water bond, a measure that fishing groups, California Indian Tribes, grassroots conservation groups and environmental justice advocates opposed because they considered it to be a water grab for corporate agribusiness and Big Money interests.

Covered California Premiums Projected To Rise 15.8 Percent In County

August 25, 2016 · Mark Reback

In an increase that a watchdog contends could push people to drop health insurance, next year's premiums in the Covered California marketplace are expected to rise an average of 15.8 percent in Ventura County. The weighted rate increase, which also affects Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, rises above the projected average hike of 13.2 percent across the statewide exchange. It ranks as the third largest increase among 19 Covered California pricing regions.

State Farm Agrees To Cut Rates

August 24, 2016 · Mark Reback

State Farm has agreed to reduce the average overall rates it charges California’s wholesale, retail, and service businesses by 4.0% after it was challenged by Consumer Watchdog for proposing rate increases on businesses' liability and property insurance. The insurer also agreed not to raise the rates paid by professional offices.

California Small Businesses May See Some Insurance Savings

August 23, 2016 · Mark Reback

California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones has approved rate reductions for a number of State Farm commercial policies that he says will bring millions of dollars in premium savings for tens of thousands of small businesses, farm owners, apartment owners, and condo associations across the state.

No Legislative Or Voter Action Prompted By Announced Covered California Rate Increase

August 19, 2016 · Mark Reback

<div class="teaser"> SANTA MONICA – A more than 13 percent increase in health insurance premiums for 2017 announced by <a href="http://www.coveredca.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Covered California</a> hasn't prompted any action from California lawmakers or voters, an industry spokeswoman said during a recent interview.

More Ethics Questions Plague Brown Administration

The Mystery of California’s High Gas Prices

August 11, 2016 · Mark Reback

Californians pride themselves on being number one. Highest population. Biggest economy. Top public university system. Most In-N-Out locations per capita. Let us count the ways in which the Golden State comes first in the nation. But in the competitive category of money spent on gasoline, Californians hold a more dubious distinction: Across the contiguous United States, nobody pays more to fill ’er up.

Another Tesla Autopilot Accident Reported in Beijing

August 10, 2016 · Mark Reback

With two federal safety investigations already underway in the U.S., Tesla Motors could face scrutiny in China, as well, in the wake of an incident involving a Model S sedan operating in Autopilot mode.

State Farm Overcharged On Premiums And Should Issue Refunds, Judge Says

August 9, 2016 · Mark Reback

A judge has recommended that State Farm refund tens of millions of dollars to its California customers and lower its rates after finding that the insurance giant charged excessive premiums over the last year for rental and home insurance policies. But customers shouldn’t expect a refund just yet. The recommendations released Monday must still be approved by California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones, who has not indicated whether he will go along with them.

California Watchdog Group Wants State Farm to Reduce Rates by 40%

August 3, 2016 · Mark Reback

Consumer Watchdog filed a petition in California challenging State Farm’s proposed rates for its homeowners insurance and wants the insurers to cut its rates by as much as 40 percent. The Santa Monica, Calif.-based consumer group said insurer will be overcharging more than 280,000 homeowners policyholders in the state unless it cuts its rate by as much as 40 percent, or nearly $100 million.

Editorial: Health insurance Rate Hikes Show Need For Cost Reforms

July 28, 2016 · Mark Reback

The two largest insurers in the Covered California health insurance exchange are jacking up their monthly premiums by 17 and 20 percent next year. The news was appalling, but it should not have been surprising. And all of us should remember that there is nothing we can do about that, even though we once had a chance to place controls over those rates.

Controversy Over Tesla ‘Autopilot’ Name Keeps Growing

July 21, 2016 · Mark Reback

What’s in a name? For Tesla’s driver-assist system “autopilot,” plenty of controversy. Some of the most enthusiastic proponents of autonomous vehicles and features are worried that autopilot — not the technology itself, but the very name, which some find misleading — might slow down the evolution of the driverless car. They say that would be a shame, as autonomous technologies are designed to make driving safer by preventing minor fender-benders as well as reducing the number of traffic fatalities.

Prop 103 California Insurance Reform

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

Homeowners Dropped by Insurers