Insurance

Anthem Blue Cross Will Pay $8.3M To Customers To Settle Class-Action Suit Over Mid-Year Policy Changes

October 27, 2015 · Mark Reback

<p>When you sign up for an insurance policy, you’re given a price for that plan for the year. So when California consumers discovered changes to their Anthem Blue Cross policies in the middle of the year that came with extra out-of-pocket costs, two policyholders filed a class-action lawsuit against the insurance provider in 2011. Anthem Blue Cross has now agreed to a settlement that includes reimbursing about 50,000 customers in California almost $8.3 million.</p>

El Niño: Californians Urged To Buy Flood Insurance Even If They’re Not Near Water

October 23, 2015 · Mark Reback

<p>With the strongest El Niño conditions in nearly 20 years already underway in the Pacific Ocean and chances increasing for heavy storms this winter, federal emergency officials on Friday urged Californians to buy flood insurance -- even those who don't live near creeks or rivers.</p> <p>"We encourage everyone to take the threat seriously," said Roy Wright, a deputy associate administrator at the Federal Emergency Management Agency in Washington, D.C. "If there ever was a time to buy flood insurance, this is that time."</p>

State Farm Defends Homeowners’ Hike Request in California Against Consumer Watchdog Challenge

October 22, 2015 · Mark Reback

<p>State Farm's proposed 6.9% homeowners' insurance rate increase for 1.7 million California homeowners faces a challenge from Consumer Watchdog, which claims the rate would overcharge consumers $210 million annually if it takes effect.</p> <p>But State Farm defended the hike, saying exposure to catastrophic losses in California is possibly "the most challenging factor in doing business in this state."</p>

Consumer Watchdog Challenges $210 Million Excessive State Farm Rate Hike on 1.7 Million California Renters and Homeowners

October 20, 2015 · Carmen Balber

Santa Monica, CA — Consumer Watchdog has challenged a rate increase proposed by State Farm, the state’s largest homeowners insurance company, that would overcharge consumers...

How Will Self-Driving Cars Be Regulated?

October 15, 2015 · Mark Reback

<p>Autonomous cars, self-driving cars, “robot” cars — no matter what you call them, these wonders of modern technology are coming to American roads, with companies like Google currently testing on public streets. But they’re not likely to become common sights on your everyday commute until the country tackles some important questions about risk, innovates its insurance model, and wrestles with what’s going to be a piecemeal upgrade from traditional cars to self-driving vehicles.</p>

Cigna Eliminates Mail-Order Requirement For HIV Drugs

October 12, 2015 · Mark Reback

<h3>Dive Brief:</h3> <ul> <li>Until now, Cigna has had a policy stating that patients buying HIV drugs must use its mail-order pharmacy program in order to obtain the drugs.</li> <li>Consumer Watchdog sued Cigna on behalf of a man who lives in Fort Lauderdale, FLA. The suit, which was filed in Florida federal court, alleges discrimination and violation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).</li> <li><span>Cigna has decided to settle the suit, and as of December 1, patients on the insurance giants' plans will be able to obtain drugs from any in-network pharmacy. </span></li>

Cigna Agrees To End Controversial HIV/AIDS Drug Program

October 10, 2015 · Mark Reback

<p>Cigna Health and Life Insurance Co. on Thursday agreed to remove certain HIV/AIDS medications from a list of drugs that must be obtained through mail order, setting a proposed nationwide class action in Florida that alleged the list was discriminatory.</p> <p>In an agreed-upon motion to end the suit, Cigna said it has addressed the concerns raised by the anonymous class representative, who claimed Cigna routinely told enrollees that specialty drugs used to treat HIV and AIDS can only be ordered at a pharmacy or pay out-of-pocket for their medications.</p>

Santa Monica Group Charges Exxon Thwarting Probe

September 25, 2015 · Mark Reback

<p><span class="timesDatelineBlack">September 25, 2015</span> -- ExxonMobile is muzzling a key witness to last February's explosion at its Torrance refinery, effectively “subverting” a state and federal investigation of the disaster that injured four workers, Santa Monica-based Consumer Watchdog charged this week.</p> <p>The nonprofit advocacy group, which has fought the oil industry over alleged price gouging, made the latest accusation in a letter sent Wednesday to Gov. Jerry Brown, State Attorney General Kamala Harris and U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch.</p>

Some States Take Aim at ‘Discriminatory’ Auto Insurance Pricing

August 28, 2015 · Mark Reback

<p>Be a safe driver. Don’t buy a flashy sports car. Pay the insurance premium on time.</p> <p>These are maxims many drivers follow to keep their auto insurance costs in check. But they may not be enough for many low-income drivers, who consumer advocates say are routinely priced out of insurance coverage because they are judged not just by their driving records, but by their credit scores, occupation, education level or other factors.</p>

Tough Negotiator? Covered California Chief Says The Fewer Health Insurers The Better

August 27, 2015 · Jamie Court

<div class="section field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> <div><img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-2889" alt="" class="right" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/images_peterleecoveredca.png" style="width: 120px; height: 120px; margin-left: 7px; margin-right: 7px; float: right;" width="120" height="120" />Covered California Chief Peter Lee has claimed that the state doesn’t need health insurance premium regulation because Covered California is a tough negotiator with the health plans.</div> <div> </div>

Fake Or Real? Ashley Madison Complaints Claim Accounts Not Legitimate

August 21, 2015 · Mark Reback

<h2 class="subheadline">Complaints to U.S. Federal Trade Commission about Ashley Madison show examples of people alleging false accounts made under their names.</h2> <div class="text combinedtext parbase section"> <p itemprop="articleBody">Complaints made against Ashley Madison show how difficult it is to know which names leaked this week were actual customers.</p>

Consumer Group Asks Justice Department To Block Expedia-Orbitz Merger

August 13, 2015 · Mark Reback

Prop 103 California Insurance Reform

New Bill Requires Insurance Companies to Offer and Renew Insurance Coverage for Fire-Safe Homes

Homeowners Dropped by Insurers