Insurance

PEACE OF MIND COSTS MORE;

January 5, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>INSURANCE PREMIUMS RISE AT RECORD RATE TO COVER HUGE PAYOUTS</h3><p class="source">The Daily Press</p> <p>Homeowners in Virginia are experiencing the steepest increases ever in insurance rates. After years of small incremental increases, the insurance industry has embarked on a new strategy to stay profitable, and that means insured customers are paying far</p>

Activists slam Davis for letting two lobbyists help him draft budget

January 4, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The San Jose Mercury News</p> <p>The special access given to Phil Isenberg and Patrick Johnston sparked criticism from consumer activists and political reform advocates, who said neither man should be allowed to take part in closed-door budget talks</p>

State Farm Stops Selling Car Insurance in West Virginia

January 2, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Charleston Gazette</p> <p>Their motto says, "Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there," but that's no longer true for state residents looking to buy auto insurance.</p>

Americans losing homeowners insurance over little-known industry program that blackballs certain homeowners

January 2, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">CBS TV Evening News (6:30 PM ET)</p> <p>If you took out homeowners insurance to protect your home and family, you may be surprised to hear that you could use it and lose it. Correspondent Sandra Hughes in this Eye on America investigation has the story of a little-known insurance industry progr</p>

The Universal Approach: Affordability is basic in health-care reform

January 2, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>This article appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle on January 2, 2003</h3><p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>The truth is that no healthcare solution will work unless it deals with the public's main concern -- affordability. That means taking a hard look at exorbitant HMO and drug company profits.</p>

Insurer stops writing auto policies

January 1, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>"This is the nation's largest insurance company trying to hold the state hostage," said Doug Heller of the California-based Foundation for Taxpayer & Consumer Rights, saying State Farm was threatening policy-makers to limit its liability.</p>

Corporate watch dogs online: as recent tales of corporate misdeeds emerge.

January 1, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">ASAP Online Magazine</p> <p>While the various players try to sort out the answers to these questions, it might be worth looking at who watches corporate activity and why. How much corporate watchdog activity can be tracked online? Where are the best places to look?</p>

Insurers Flip the ‘Crisis’ Switch

December 24, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Like energy companies, they manufacture losses.</h3> <p>Like last year's energy debacle in California, the insurance crisis now afflicting the nation is the product of artificial price and supply manipulation compounded by grossly inadequate regulation.</p>

Commentary; Insurers Flip the ‘Crisis’ Switch; Like energy companies, they manufacture losses.

December 24, 2002  ·  Harvey Rosenfield

<p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Like last year's energy debacle in California, the insurance crisis now afflicting the nation is the product of artificial price and supply manipulation compounded by grossly inadequate regulation.</p>

Senate Republicans drop Lott, elect Frist as their leader

December 23, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Gannett News Service</p> <p>Frist's family founded HCA, a major hospital chain known as Hospital Corporation of America when it began in 1968 that recently agreed to pay more than $880 million to settle claims of false claims, kickbacks and fraud.</p>

Governor pledges fast track for lawsuit abuse laws

December 18, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Associated Press</p> <p>Texas Gov. Rick Perry pledged Wednesday that neither the insurance lobby nor a lawyer-packed Legislature would prevent him from pushing a lid on medical malpractice jury awards and new controls over insurance rates into law next session.</p>

State of Arizona’s car insurance rates up despite drop in claims

December 17, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Losses in stock market may be the reason for increases</h3><p class="source">Tucson Citizen</p> <p>Doug Heller, a senior consumer advocate for the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, suggests the state needs to have stronger control of the insurance industry.</p>