Insurance

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>

“Tort Reform” A Fraud, Insurers Admit (includes filings made by insurance companies)

January 15, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">NICO - 10/20/87</p>

Voters will have another chance to fill scandal-tinged position

January 15, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Sacramento Bee</p> <p>California voters were assured in 1988 that if they made the state insurance commissioner's office an elective one, rather than an arm of the governor's administration, they would be making the regulator a servant of the people, rather than a toady</p>

Suit Filed Over ‘Good Driver’ Discount Rates

January 15, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Insurance: An advocacy group claims Geico, the Auto Club and Safeco overcharge those without prior coverage.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>A consumer advocate group has sued three auto insurers, alleging the companies violated California's Proposition 103 by overcharging new customers who lacked prior insurance coverage.</p>

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>