Insurance

California’s two largest utilities could lose credit rating on Wall St.

December 22, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">San Jose Mercury News</p> <p>SAN JOSE, Calif._Intensifying pressure on state officials, a leading Wall Street rating firm said it will drastically lower the credit status of California's two largest electric utilities unless the state approves a consumer rate increase this week.</p>

Few taking advantage of new low-cost auto insurance program

November 30, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Associated Press</p> <p>Five months after California launched its landmark program to provide auto insurance to low-income drivers, hardly anyone is taking advantage of it - and state officials want to know why.</p>

State Supreme Court declines to consider Northridge claims suit

November 29, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Associated Press</p> <p>The California Supreme Court refused Wednesday to consider the insurance industry's challenge to a new state law that gives thousands of Northridge earthquake victims a year to refile their claims.</p>

State Farm Offers Big Discounts for Vans, SUVs

November 29, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>State Farm, the nation's biggest automobile insurer, unveiled a new pricing policy yesterday that offers hefty discounts to drivers of sport utility vehicles, vans and luxury cars. The company maintains that those vehicles are the safest for their occupa</p>

STATE FARM PLAN GIVES RATE BREAK TO BIG VEHICLES

November 29, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>State Farm Insurance Cos., the largest auto insurer in California and the nation, unveiled a controversial plan Tuesday to lower insurance premiums for drivers of some of the biggest vehicles on the road while boosting rates for smaller, cheaper cars.</p>

Consumer Activist Pushes Ballot Initiative To Undo California-Power Deregulation

November 29, 2000  ·  Harvey Rosenfield

<p class="source">The Wall Street Journal</p> <p>LOS ANGELES -- Harvey Rosenfield, a consumer activist who has made a career of tapping public anger at corporate interests, is drafting a ballot initiative aimed at reversing electricity deregulation in California.</p>

Activist targets utilities for ballot measure

November 29, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>The proposal in the works for the 2002 election would restore regulation of privately owned power firms.</h3><p class="source">Riverside Press-Enterprise</p> <p>SACRAMENTO Depicting producers and distributors of electricity as a menace to California's prosperity, a consumer activist vowed Tuesday to organize a ratepayers' revolt in the next statewide general election.</p>

PG&E plan to raise rates 16 percent sparks outcry from consumers

November 23, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">San Jose Mercury News</p> <p>SAN JOSE, Calif._Beginning Jan. 1, the typical Bay Area resident's electric bill could rise $9 a month _ a 16.5 percent jump that could be followed by several more over the next few years.</p>

Insurers ask Supreme Court to block refiling of Northridge claims

November 22, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Associated Press State & Local Wire</p> <p>Insurers asked the state Supreme Court Wednesday to block a new law that allows thousands of victims of the 1994 Northridge earthquake to refile their claims for one year beginning Jan. 1.</p>

State Seeks Dismissal of Insurance Settlements

November 21, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Arguing that former state Insurance Commissioner Chuck Quackenbush acted illegally, California Atty. Gen. Bill Lockyer asked the courts Monday to throw out agreements that allowed insurance companies to donate to foundations rather than face fines</p>

Quake insurers taken to court

November 21, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>State wants to void Quackenbush deals</h3><p class="source">Sacramento Bee</p> <p>In a move that could have implications for Northridge earthquake victims, California officials went to court Monday to void disputed insurance company settlements brokered during disgraced former state Insurance Commissioner Chuck Quackenbush's tenure.</p>

Toward A New Political Brand – Volunteer Qualified

November 3, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<!-- excerpt --><p>If politics is the art of the possible, then the first general election of the millennium is sadly signaling that possibilities in the political process exist only for professionals, not volunteers.</p>