Insurance

Insurers seek to sway California’s pick of industry regulator

February 26, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>The last time Californians entrusted oversight of the state's $86 billion insurance market to an industry-backed politician, it ended in a sordid influence-peddling scandal.</p>

Rate Pact But First Step – DWR Faces Myriad Steps in Calif. Bond deal

February 25, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Bond Buyer</p> <p>The long-awaited approval last week by the California Public Utilities Commission of a rate agreement with the state's Department of Water Resources is only the first in a chain of events that must occur before the agency can issue up to $11.1 billion in</p>

Check Out Fine Print

February 18, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel</p> <p>Don't look now, but you've probably signed away your right to sue your credit card issuer, broker, long distance company and health maintenance organization.</p>

STATE OFFICES; INSURANCE COMMISSIONER; Highly Charged Race in Wake of Quackenbush Debacle

February 17, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>While disgraced former insurance commissioner Chuck Quackenbush basks on balmy Oahu, the campaign for his former job focuses on the same fight that dogged him -- whether state regulators do enough to protect policyholders.</p>

‘John Q’ Pains Health-Care Industry

February 16, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>The film's premise is flawed, officials say, adding that its violence could encourage copycat crimes.</h3><p class="source">The Orange County Register</p> <p>The movie 'John Q', Hollywood's latest take on the outrages of the U.S. health-care system, is raising the hackles of health plans and hospitals, who say it is factually flawed and could even be dangerous.</p>

Bailout Watch #90 – Feb 07, 2002

February 7, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<strong>BAILOUT WATCH: Keeping an eye on the energy industry and the politicians<br/> <br/> Bailout Watch #90 - Feb 07, 2002<br/> <br/> Why did the whistleblowers wait? </strong>These days mid-level managers and execs at Enron are ratting...

Region’s Gas Price Hikes Expected to Slow

February 2, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Fuel: Ample West Coast supplies should help keep the average per-gallon cost well below $2, analysts say.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>The surge in average gasoline prices around Southern California--nearly 30 cents a gallon in January--isn't over yet, analysts said Friday. But they predicted that increases would moderate soon, holding costs at the pump well below the $2 level</p>

WATER DAMAGE DRIVES TWO MORE CALIF. COMPANIES TO SEEK HIGHER HOMEOWNERS RATES

January 23, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">BestWire</p> <p>Citing a growing number of water-damage claims, two more insurers in California are seeking homeowners rate increases.</p>

CALDERON: INSURANCE DONATIONS WON’T AFFECT HIS JUDGMENT

January 23, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">BestWire</p> <p>California Assemblyman Tom Calderon, who has been the only candidate to accept campaign contributions from insurers in his bid for California insurance commissioner, said the donations don't affect his judgment.</p>

CALIF. CONSUMER GROUP MONITORS INSURERS’ CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS

January 22, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">BestWire</p> <p>Concerned about a potential conflict of interest, a California consumer group is monitoring insurers' campaign contributions to candidates for insurance commissioner.</p>

Insurance Money Makes a Face: Quackenbush’s

January 21, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>To commemorate a degree of cupidity rare even in politics, the name and face of discredited former state Insurance Commissioner Chuck Quackenbush have been bestowed upon the "Quack-O-Meter", a device to track the insurance industry's contributions</p>

Firms accused of inflating premiums for formerly uninsured drivers

January 16, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>Three auto insurance companies have been accused of violating a state insurance reform law by allegedly overcharging some customers who were previously uninsured, according to a lawsuit filed by a consumer group.</p>