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Consumer Watchdog

Insurance

Insurance news, investigations, and reform — auto, home, and health insurance rates, claims denials, and industry accountability.
Covered California: Canceled Policies Will Stay Canceled

Covered California: Canceled Policies Will Stay Canceled

<p>Steve Goldsberry said he knows what California's decision not to allow canceled health insurance policies to be extended will cost him.<br /> <br /> "Six grand a year," said the Simi Valley general contractor who believes he may end up paying $500 more a month because his current policy doesn't meet the Affordable Care Act's standards. "I had insurance that was adequate. I got to choose. Now I no longer have a choice."<br /> <br />
California Will Not Extend Canceled Health Policies

California Will Not Extend Canceled Health Policies

<div id="text-pages"> <div class="page" style="display: block;"> <p><strong>(11-21) 15:46 PST SACRAMENTO</strong> -- Covered California, the state's health exchange, on Thursday rejected President Obama's request to let insurers extend their current health policies, a decision that affects about 1 million Californians who have coverage that doesn't comply with the requirements of the federal health law.</p>
California’s Health Exchange Spurns Obama Directive

California’s Health Exchange Spurns Obama Directive

<p class="bodytext"><span id="iba2_siteCss"><span id="MNGiSection">SACRAMENTO -- It's all systems go for the federal health care law, at least in California, after the state on Thursday spurned President Barack Obama's directive that would allow millions of Americans to extend their current health insurance policies through 2014.</span></span></p>
A California-Style Fix for Obamacare’s Runaway Premiums

A California-Style Fix for Obamacare’s Runaway Premiums

<p><img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-2718" alt="" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/images_Harvey.jpg" style="width: 211px; height: 216px; float: right; margin-left: 7px; margin-right: 7px;" width="220" height="225" />Regulation of insurance companies, introduced by Proposition 103, could repair a loophole in the Affordable Care Act.<br /> <br />
Op-Ed Commentary: A California-Style Fix For Obamacare’s Runaway Premiums

Op-Ed Commentary: A California-Style Fix For Obamacare’s Runaway Premiums

<p><em>Harvey Rosenfield, founder of Consumer Watchdog, is the author of Proposition 103. His Op-Ed Commentary below was originally published in the Los Angeles Times on Tuesday, November 19, 2013.  The online version can be viewed <a href="http://www.latimes.com/opinion/commentary/la-oe-rosenfield-obamacare-prop-103-20131119,0,2059028.story#axzz2l73jkImZ">here</a>.</em></p> <p><b>Regulation of insurance companies, introduced by Proposition 103, could repair a loophole in the Affordable Care Act.</b></p>
Pennsylvania Auto Insurance Picture Not As Rosy As First Indicated

Pennsylvania Auto Insurance Picture Not As Rosy As First Indicated

<p>At first glance, the statistics revealed in a state-by-state analysis of auto insurance costs make Pennsylvania look pretty good.</p> <p>"Report praised Pennsylvania car insurance model," celebrated a headline in The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, referring to Tuesday's release of a 75-page "Review of Auto Insurance Rate Regulation in America" by the Consumer Federation of America.</p>
The Buzz: Insurance Regulation Allies Praise One Measure, Push For Another

The Buzz: Insurance Regulation Allies Praise One Measure, Push For Another

<p>By now, it’s no surprise when California Insurance Commissioner <span class="ng_name"><strong>Dave Jones</strong></span> issues a press release, and the one that came Tuesday commemorated the 25th anniversary of the passage of Proposition 103 in 1988, when Jones was still in law school.</p> <p>That was the measure that, among other things, made the insurance commissioner’s job elective, rather than one appointed by the governor.</p>
If You Thought Your Auto Insurance Rates Have Been Rising, You’re Right

If You Thought Your Auto Insurance Rates Have Been Rising, You’re Right

<div class="entry-content"> <p style="clear:left;">Nebraska consumers have seen the nation's biggest percentage increase in auto insurance rates since 1988, a consumer group said Tuesday in recommending that all states adopt tough, California-style regulation of the auto insurance industry.</p> <p>Iowa's increase has been above-average, too, the Consumer Federation of America said in a report that marks the 25th anniversary of a California law passed by voters as Proposition 103 in 1988.</p>
$100 Billion Win

$100 Billion Win

<p><img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-2714" alt="" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/images_prop103billboardnew_small.jpg" style="width: 211px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; float: right; height: 132px;" width="500" height="313" />I'm truly humbled.<br /> <br /> It was a big deal when, 25 years ago this month, you and other California voters joined with me to pass Proposition 103, the toughest auto insurance regulation in the nation. But I had no idea exactly how big.<br /> <br />
Calif. Auto Insurance Regs Boon To Consumers, Study Says

Calif. Auto Insurance Regs Boon To Consumers, Study Says

<p>California has the most consumer-friendly auto insurance industry in the U.S. due to state regulations, the Consumer Federation of America (CFA) says in a report released today.</p> <p>Twenty-five years after California voters passed Proposition 103, which imposed regulations and rate controls on auto insurance companies, the measures have been declared a huge success by the CFA, which recommends other states adopt similar measures.</p>