Insurance

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>

STATE JUDICIAL PANEL LIMITS SECRECY IN LAWSUIT RECORDS

October 28, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>The policymaking body for California courts approved new rules Friday that will make it more difficult for parties in lawsuits to keep records secret from the public.</p>

Overhaul urged for California Earthquake Authority

October 26, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>A member of the California Earthquake Authority's ruling board demanded Thursday that the agency be overhauled, contending the complex financial structure that sustains the CEA could fail in the event of a catastrophe.</p>

Consumer Rights’ Group Criticizes Burns For Taking Money From Managed Care Interests

October 20, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>Two consumer interest groups criticized U.S. Sen. Conrad Burns Thursday for accepting campaign funding from managed care interests that oppose a bill of rights for patients.</p>

Difference of Opinions

October 1, 2000  ·  Jamie Court

<p class="source">Sacramento Bee</p> <p>Blue Cross of California thought it was doing a good thing when it rolled out a new line of discounted health plans this week - honest. Blue Cross, the state's largest for-profit health insurer with about 4.5 million members, thought the lower-priced</p>