Insurance

Business Blues; Health Care; attitudes toward a universal health care system

January 14, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Los Angeles Business Journal</p> <p>There's no doubt that businesses are fed up with rapidly escalating health care premiums, but so much so that they are willing to swallow state-sponsored universal health care?</p>

CONSUMER GROUP ASKS CALIF. TO DELAY HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE RATE HIKES

January 10, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">BestWire</p> <p>While the three biggest homeowner insurers in California raise rates, a consumer group is asking the California Department of Insurance to put a moratorium on rate increases.</p>

State Blocks Effort to Curtail Terror Coverage

January 9, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Proposal to restrict homeowners' claims--an about-face by firms--is arbitrary, commissioner says.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>State regulators Tuesday blocked a move by insurers to limit terrorism coverage for California homeowners, slowing the industry's push to curtail such coverage nationwide.</p>

Farmers Insurance Seeks Another State Rate Hike

January 9, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Financial services: Firm says aging housing stock justifies fifth increase in California homeowners' premiums in two years. Consumer advocates express outrage.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Farmers Insurance Group of Cos. has applied for a premium increase of 6.9% for homeowner insurance--its fifth rate hike request in California in two years and one that has sparked outrage from consumer advocates.</p>

Activists will not pursue ballot measure on state edison bailout

January 7, 2002  ·  Harvey Rosenfield

<p class="source">Los Angeles Business Journal</p> <p>Remember all that talk last year of an energy initiative on this November's ballot? Well, it's been quietly dropped.</p>

Individual Actions You Can Take to Limit Corporate Control Over Your Life

January 1, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<!-- excerpt --><p>Individuals' rights should be honored by businesses and corporations. Citizens can take action to ensure that corporations do not take advantage of them in their personal life. The following are some simple ways you can protect yourself with the substa</p>

Allstate seeks homeowners hike

January 1, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>A 22.3% raise, the firm's first since 1994, is considered by regulators.</h3><p class="source">Orange County Register</p> <p>More than 50,000 Orange County customers of Allstate Insurance will see the premiums they pay for homeowners insurance jump 22.3 percent next year if state regulators approve the insurer's request for a rate hike.</p>

WellPoint Makes a Strong Recovery

December 9, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Six years ago its prognosis was poor. Today its expansion is being cheered by investors and challenged by consumer advocates.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>If its recent flurry of acquisitions survives regulatory scrutiny and emerges intact, WellPoint Health Networks Inc. will have the nation's third-largest enrollment among publicly traded managed-care companies, moving ahead of rival Cigna Corp.</p>

Stop Allowing Insurance Rate Hikes, State Urged

November 30, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>A consumer group asked state Insurance Commissioner Harry Low to stop approving insurance rate hikes, saying a moratorium is needed to prevent insurers from taking advantage of market turmoil in the wake of Sept. 11.</p>

BACKGROUND ON PRIOR APPROVAL OF INSURANCE RATE CHANGES

November 29, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<!-- excerpt --><p>One of the major reforms implemented by California voters with the passage of Proposition 103 in 1988 was the creation of a "prior approval" process for rate increases. This process requires insurers to apply for and obtain approval for rate changes from</p>

A watchdog, not lapdog

November 23, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>SF Chronicle Editorial</h3><p class="source">San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>What will it take to restore respect to the scandal-tainted office of state insurance commissioner? One starting point would be curbing industry contributions that threaten to skew the race for a new insurance watchdog.</p>

INSURE FOR LESS

November 19, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>SMART SHOPPERS CAN GET BREAKS ON AUTO POLICIES, EVEN AS RATES RISE</h3><p class="source">The Daily News of Los Angeles</p> <p>With auto insurance companies in the midst of a rate increase binge, drivers renewing coverage or buying it for the first time can save some money by implementing a simple strategy: Shop around.</p>