Insurance

DIRECTV Consumer Class Action Against Overcharges May Go Forward, California Court Of Appeal Says

May 9, 2016  ·  Harvey Rosenfield

A class action lawsuit against DIRECTV brought in 2008 by California consumers who were forced to pay unlawful early termination fees of up to $480 may proceed, the California Court of Appeal has decided.

Bogus Blackouts Draw A Brownout

May 8, 2016  ·  Mark Reback

<p>Speaking to a group of crime survivors in Sacramento recently, Gov. Jerry Brown confessed a tough sentencing law he signed in the 1970s was a big mistake.<br /> "The problems I create, I can clean up," Brown declared, pitching his latest plan to reduce sentences and ease paroles for many crimes.</p>

Man’s knee surgery goes awry when surgeons fail to sterilize equipment, leading to additional surgeries, a knee replacement and a lifetime limit on mobility.

May 1, 2016  ·  Evan Thomas King

<p><img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-3005" alt="" class="right" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/resources_blevinschuck.jpeg" style="width: 150px; height: 150px; float: right;" width="150" height="150" />Charles Blevins had arthroscopic knee surgery at an outpatient surgical center.  Three days later he went to an emergency room with severe pain and a fever, and he had to undergo further surgery and receive antibiotics for a bacterial infection.  He later learned three others who had been operated at the same outpatient center and also been infected with the same bacteria.

Aetna’s Proposed $37 Billion Health Merger Under Microscope

April 25, 2016  ·  Mark Reback

<p>The proposed $37 billion merger between health insurers Aetna Inc. and <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/search/?action=search&channel=business&inlineLink=1&searchindex=gsa&query=%22Humana+Inc.%22">Humana Inc.</a> will face regulatory scrutiny Wednesday in a hearing by the <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/search/?action=search&channel=business&inlineLink=1&searchindex=gsa&query=%22California+Department%22">California Department</a> of Insurance.</p>

State: Insurance Providers Owe Californians Over $300 Million In Unclaimed Life Insurance Benefits

April 25, 2016  ·  Mark Reback

<p><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" mozallowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" src="http://up.anv.bz/latest/anvload.html?key=eyJtIjoiY2JzIiwidiI6IjMzOTE0MjYiLCJwbHVnaW5zIjp7ImNvbXNjb3JlIjp7ImNsaWVudElkIjoiMzAwMDAyMyIsImMzIjoiTG9zQW5nZWxlcy5jYnNsb2NhbC5jb20ifSwiZGZwIjp7ImNsaWVudFNpZGUiOnsiYWRUYWdVcmwiOiJodHRwOi8vcHViYWRzLmcuZG91YmxlY2xpY2submV0L2dhbXBhZC9hZHM%2Fc3o9MngyJml1PS80MTI4L0NCUy5MQSZjaXVfc3pzJmltcGw9cyZnZGZwX3JlcT0xJmVudj12cCZvdXRwdXQ9eG1sX3Zhc3QyJnVudmlld2VkX3Bvc2l0aW9uX3N0YXJ0PTEmdXJsPVtyZWZlcnJlcl91cmxdJmRlc2NyaXB0aW9uX3VybD1bZGVzY3JpcHRpb25fdXJsXSZjb3JyZWxhdG9yPVt0

Nation’s Biggest Personal Lines Insurers Fight For Huge Rate Increases

April 19, 2016  ·  Mark Reback

<p>Across the country, the largest and best-known personal lines insurance carriers are doing battle with regulators to gain approval for large premium jumps in auto and home insurance.<br /> <br /> Most recently, consumer groups in California have urged the Department of Insurance to reduce its rates by at least 9.26%. According to Consumer Watchdog, the homeowners insurer – the largest in the state – has overcharged its customers by roughly $78 million, or $285,000 per day, since at least July 2015.<br /> <br />

Fixes For Takata Air Bags Can Take Months. What To Drive In The Meantime?

April 19, 2016  ·  Mark Reback

<p>The Takata Corp. air bag recall has become so massive that vehicle owners might wait months for repairs, which leaves many struggling to figure out how to get around in the meantime.</p> <p>Dealerships are paying for rental cars, but some need to be pushed into offering them, customers complain. And drivers under age 25 or with weak insurance coverage or credit say they are encountering snags when they get to the rental counter.</p>

High Time For Voters To Make PUC Accountable

April 11, 2016  ·  Mark Reback

<div> <p>Travel back in time to the mid-1980s, when California’s insurance rates for both cars and property were nearly the highest in America and climbing fast. Back then, the state insurance commissioner, who could have stopped much of the price acceleration, was appointed by the governor.</p>

Proposed Anthem-Cigna Merger Under Fire from CA Consumers

April 5, 2016  ·  Mark Reback

<div class="field field-name-body"> <h2>The merger "would create the nation's largest insurer, which could have a significant impact on California's consumers, businesses, and the healthcare marketplace," says on consumer advocate. But few studies show "higher insurer market concentration leads to lower health insurance premiums," according to health economist.</h2>

California Insurance Commissioner Probes Anthem-Cigna Merger

March 29, 2016  ·  Mark Reback

<p style=""><span class="dateline">SAN FRANCISCO</span>, CA -- California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones says he has "some significant skepticism" about the benefits of Anthem Inc.'s proposed acquisition of rival insurer Cigna Corp.</p> <div class="clearfix" id="story-target"> <div id="content-body-16194260-68891477"> <p style="">Jones spoke at a public hearing on the proposed $54 billion merger Tuesday in San Francisco.</p>

Obama Headlining Summit To Fight Rx & Heroin Abuse Epidemic

March 28, 2016  ·  Carmen Balber

<p><img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-20753" alt="" class="right" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/images_drugs.jpg" style="width: 200px; height: 170px; margin-left: 7px; margin-right: 7px; float: right;" width="200" height="170" />Santa Monica, CA – President Obama will give the keynote address at the National Rx Drug Abuse & Heroin Summit tomorrow where prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) are being highlighted as essential tools to reduce prescription abuse.</p>

Rising Life Insurance Premiums Challenged In Court

March 23, 2016  ·  Mark Reback

<p>Insurance companies have the same problem everyone else does -- poor return on their investments. With their investment portfolios lagging, insurers are jacking up premiums, a tactic that is not going down well with consumers.</p>