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Consumer Watchdog

Insurance

Insurance news, investigations, and reform — auto, home, and health insurance rates, claims denials, and industry accountability.
Calif. group seeks probe of insurance commissioner

Calif. group seeks probe of insurance commissioner

<p class="source">Reuters</p> <p>A consumer group on Monday asked the state's attorney general to probe California Insurance Commissioner Chuck Quackenbush over a deal he made with three insurance firms to avoid stiff fines over their alleged underpaying of earthquake claims.</p>
Quackenbush Rejected Steep Fines For Insurers

Quackenbush Rejected Steep Fines For Insurers

<h3>Department Staff Called For Penalties For Mishandling Of Northridge Quake Claims.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Insurance Commissioner Chuck Quackenbush rejected recommendations from his own legal team that some of the biggest insurance companies in the state be fined hundreds of millions of dollars for mishandling claims in the aftermath of the devastating Northri</p>
Proposition 103 — Main Provisions and Status

Proposition 103 — Main Provisions and Status

For a detailed explanation of Proposition 103's provisions and their present status, read the following link: <a href="http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/insurance/articles/?storyId=12177">Background on Insurance Reform: A Detailed Analysis of Proposition 103</a> <!-- excerpt -->
Health problems linked to mold

Health problems linked to mold

<h3>Metro Detroit faces growing threat</h3><p class="source">Detroit News</p> <p>Consumer advocates say insurance companies are reluctant to pay mold damage claims because scientific proof of cause-and-effect eludes researchers.</p>
Reports On Insurers Demanded

Reports On Insurers Demanded

<p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Lawmakers demanded Monday that Insurance Commissioner Chuck Quackenbush appear at an April 26 hearing and produce confidential reports his office prepared on the handling of Northridge earthquake claims by six major insurance companies.</p>
Odorous contributions: Commissioner collects from insurance companies

Odorous contributions: Commissioner collects from insurance companies

<h3>Union Tribune Editorial</h3><p class="source">San Diego Union Tribune</p> <p>State Insurance Commissioner Charles Quackenbush is the poster boy for campaign finance reform in California. Six years ago, as a Republican candidate, Quackenbush declared that accepting campaign money from insurance companies would be "like taking slow</p>
Funny About This Money

Funny About This Money

<h3>L.A. Times Editorial</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Voters approved Proposition 103, the 1988 insurance reform initiative, in part to break up a cozy relationship between the insurance industry and the state's appointed insurance commissioner. Beginning in 1990, the job was made an elected position. But th</p>
A Hole in Patients’ Rights

A Hole in Patients’ Rights

<p class="source">San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>The Legislature left some unfinished business last year when it passed a bill allowing patients to file a claim for damages against their HMOs -- but not necessarily in a court of law.</p>