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Consumer Watchdog

Insurance

Insurance news, investigations, and reform — auto, home, and health insurance rates, claims denials, and industry accountability.
Arbitration Increasingly Under Fire

Arbitration Increasingly Under Fire

<p class="source">San Francisco Examiner</p> <p>Unhappy with her treatment in a 1997 medical examination and not wanting to sue the doctor and just quietly seek a settlement, Maureen Alexander and her husband went up against Blue Cross of California in arbitration.</p>
The Quackenbush Foundations

The Quackenbush Foundations

<!-- excerpt --><p>According to news reports, Mr. Quackenbush has set up three non-profit foundations. The foundations are apparently controlled by Quackenbush or other CDI officials, though Mr. Quackenbush has denied that he controls the foundations. The Board of Directors</p>
Quackenbush Lets the Insurance Companies Off the Hook

Quackenbush Lets the Insurance Companies Off the Hook

<h3>In Exchange for Donations to Non-profits He Controls And Campaign Contributions</h3> <p>News releases and other records previously issued by Commissioner Quackenbush indicate that major insurers agreed to make relatively modest donations to one or more non-profit foundations as "settlement" of the agency's confidential Market Conduct investi</p>
AIDES ISSUE 25-PAGE DEFENSE OF QUACKENBUSH’S ACTIONS;

AIDES ISSUE 25-PAGE DEFENSE OF QUACKENBUSH’S ACTIONS;

<h3>INSURANCE: DOCUMENT ACCUSES DEMOCRATS OF HYPOCRISY. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL CRITICIZESCOMMISSIONER.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>As the California Assembly prepared for its first public hearing today probing state Insurance Commissioner Chuck Quackenbush's activities, his political aides issued a 25-page defense of the commissioner's handling of Northridge earthquake penalties.</p>
Quackenbush Overstepped, Counsel Says

Quackenbush Overstepped, Counsel Says

<h3>Government: Lawyers For Legislature Say The Commissioner Lacked Authority To Have Insurers Fund Foundations Instead Of Paying Fines After Northridge Quake</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Insurance Commissioner Chuck Quackenbush did not have legal authority to compel insurance companies to give money to nonprofit foundations instead of paying fines or other penalties in the wake of the Northridge earthquake, lawyers for the California Legi</p>
EARTHQUAKE FOUNDATION’S GIFT SCRUTINIZED

EARTHQUAKE FOUNDATION’S GIFT SCRUTINIZED

<p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>A nonprofit foundation that state Insurance Commissioner Chuck Quackenbush created with insurance company contributions for earthquake research gave $ 500,000 to the Greater Sacramento Urban League after he joined the organization's board of directors.</p>