Insurance

Aetna Facing Lawsuit

April 20, 1999  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Racketeering Case May Be First Of Kind</h3><p class="source">Hartford Courant</p> <p>A California consumer group filed a racketeering lawsuit against Aetna Inc. Monday, saying the nation's largest health insurer routinely makes widespread, false claims about the quality of its medical coverage. The lawsuit, which further heats an alread</p>

Reaction is mixed over ruling on HMO lawsuit

April 13, 1999  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Houston Chronicle</p> <p>Consumer advocates are praising and managed care officials are criticizing a federal appeals court's decision allowing a Houston woman to sue an HMO for damages in state court. The decision by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans came</p>

Number, Amount of Auto Claims Down in California, Bucking Trend

March 17, 1999  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Journal of Commerce</p> <p>A new study shows that in this decade California's auto insurers decreased the number and dollar amount of claims paid to victims, bucking the national trend.</p>

Survey Suggests Discriminatory Practices in Low-Income Neighborhoods

March 12, 1999  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>An unprecedented state survey released Friday suggests that insurance redlining exists in California's low-income and minority neighborhoods, where fewer people obtain coverage and there are fewer agents to serve them.</p>

Insurers Low-Ball Victims, Group Says

March 10, 1999  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Sacramento Bee</p> <p>A consumer group, pushing to reinstate a controversial law that would allow more lawsuits against insurance companies, charged Tuesday that the firms have low-balled settlements to some accident victims for more than a decade.</p>

Insurers Cut Car Claims In ’90S, Study Says

March 10, 1999  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Profits Reached Record Highs In The State As Settlements To Accident Victims Dropped, Group Finds; Industry Officials Defend Trend, Saying Lower Rates Resulted</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>During the 1990s California insurance companies steadily reduced the size and number of claims paid to automobile accident victims although their profits rose to record heights, a consumer study has found.</p>

The Low-Balling of the California Auto Insurance Claim

March 9, 1999  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Insurers Are Paying Less Since Accident Victims Lost Their Rights</h3>

State Auto Insurance rates Down 11.3%

February 25, 1999  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Critics Question Timing of 4-Year Study's Release</h3><p class="source">San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>Auto insurance rates have dropped an average of 11.3 percent in California during the past four years, Insurance Commissioner Chuck Quackenbush said yesterday.</p>

California’s Car Insurance Rates Down 11.3% Since 1995

February 25, 1999  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>States Say its the Biggest Four-Year Decline Ever; Consumer Advocates Complain that Savings Should Be Even Greater</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Auto insurance rates in California dropped 5.7% last year and are down 11.3% since 1995, the largest four-year decline ever, the state Department of Insurance said Wednesday. The announcement immediately triggered criticism from consumer advocates who con</p>

Three Insurers Agree to Issue California Refunds

February 19, 1999  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Journal of Commerce</p> <p>Of the three companies, Fireman's Fund, Novato, Calif., agreed to issue the largest refund to customers, $76.25 million. Surety bond specialist Insco/Dico Group, of Irvine, Calif. was next at $1.6 million. Michigan Millers Mutual Insurance Company, Lansin</p>

Auto Insurance Reform for the Poor

February 4, 1999  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>All California motorists are required to carry auto insurance, but more than 3 million drive uninsured, either dropping coverage as soon as their cars are registered or driving without registration. Most are flouting the law because they can't afford to c</p>

Jury’s Huge Award in HMO Case Renews Debate on Patient’s Rights

January 22, 1999  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>The $120 Million Judgement Against Aetna May Force the Industry to Examine its Policies and Fuel the Drive to Let More Patients Sue</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>The stinging $120-million verdict by a San Bernardino County jury against Aetna U.S. Health Care of California may force introspection among HMOs nationwide and heat up the debate over patients' rights to sue them, attorneys, legislators and experts said</p>