Insurance

Farmers Insurance to Face Trial For Deceptive Refund Practices

January 18, 2013 · Doug Heller

<img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-2573" alt="" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/images_farmerslogo_0.gif" style="width: 301px; height: 162px; float: right;" width="600" height="323" />Last month a California Court of Appeal overturned the Superior Court ruling in Streit v. Farmers Group, Inc. and allowed California consumers to pursue a lawsuit against Farmers Insurance for cheating customers out of fair refunds if they cancel their insurance policy. Consumer Watchdog’s attorneys authored a key “Friend of the Court” brief that laid the groundwork for the Appellate Court’s decision.

Insurer Sued On Behalf Of Local HIV Sufferer

January 15, 2013 · Mark Reback

A nonprofit consumer advocacy group has filed suit against Anthem Blue Cross on behalf of a local HIV patient affected by the insurance company’s decision to require use of mail-order pharmacies for AIDS drugs. Anthem Blue Cross recently notified patients with its commercial insurance that they would need to begin ordering their medications by mail on March 1.

Suit Claims Blue Cross Discriminates Against HIV/AIDS Patients

January 15, 2013 · Mark Reback

A consumer advocacy group has accused Blue Cross of California of discriminating against patients with HIV/AIDS by changing the protocol they use to obtain their medications. Under the new policy, set to go into effect on March 1, enrollees with HIV/AIDS and numerous other medical conditions must obtain prescriptions through mail-order pharmacies instead of relying on local brick-and-mortar pharmacies.

Op-Ed: Is The State’s Initiative Process Ripe For Reform?

January 13, 2013 · Mark Reback

Nell McCombs of Ventura is committee chairman for the League of Women Voters of Ventura County's study of the California initiative and referendum process. <div id="story_content"> The initiative process was adopted by the California electorate in 1911, and was intended to allow the public direct access to the legislative process and overcome the influence of special interests. The process seems to have been needed as within three years of adoption (1914), 17 voter-placed initiatives appeared on the ballot.

California Insurance Commissioner Criticizes Anthem Blue Cross Rate Hike

January 9, 2013 · Mark Reback

Making his case yet again for regulatory authority to reject "excessive" rates, California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones on Tuesday singled out Anthem Blue Cross Life and Health Insurance Co. for slapping "unreasonable" rate increases on more than 250,000 small-business policyholders. Anthem fired back, saying the insurance commissioner's math and methodology were flawed.

Health Insurers Raise Some Rates By Double Digits

January 6, 2013 · Mark Reback

Health insurance companies across the country are seeking and winning double-digit increases in premiums for some customers, even though one of the biggest objectives of the Obama administration's health care law was to stem the rapid rise in insurance costs for consumers. Particularly vulnerable to the high rates are small businesses and people who do not have employer-provided insurance and must buy it on their own.

Our New Year Resolutions

January 4, 2013 · Carmen Balber

<img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-2567" alt="" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/images_carmenbalber.jpg" style="width: 200px; height: 299px; margin-left: 7px; margin-right: 7px; float: right;" width="804" height="1200" />What an inspiring 2012! <a href="http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/blog/what-unbelievable-year">Together, we</a> exposed and stopped false MPG claims by automakers, shamed health insurance companies into lowering outrageous rate hikes and moved closer to the day when technology companies can’t collect and sell our private information online and on our phones without consent. This year we’ll continue these fights, and more.

California Insurance Reform Law Saves Homeowners $12 Million On Earthquake Insurance

January 2, 2013 · Doug Heller

<img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-2569" alt="" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/images_shaking_18x23.jpg" style="width: 300px; height: 377px; float: right;" width="1705" height="2144" />As Californian's look at their finances for 2013, several thousand homeowners will see savings on their earthquake insurance premiums. As a result of California's insurance reform law – <a href="http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/focusarea/prop-103-california-insurance-reform">Proposition 103</a> – Californian's who purchase earthquake insurance from Chubb or Chartis will be saving a collective $12 million in 2013 after these insurance companies wer

Justice for Consumers in 2013

December 28, 2012 · Carmen Balber

<img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-2563" alt="" height="268" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/images_donationcount-05_0k.gif" style="float: right;" width="182" />Did you see Jamie's <a href="http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/blog/what-unbelievable-year">blog</a>? He's right, we've had an amazing 2012. We couldn't have done any of it without your support, and <a href="http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/6563/p/salsa/donation/common/public/?donate_page_KEY=4651">your tax-deductible contribution now will help us reach our year-end goal to cover next year's expenses</a>.

What an unbelievable year!

December 26, 2012 · Jamie Court

<a href="http://issuu.com/news_review/docs/snr_cwd_121312.pdf?viewMode=magazine&mode=embed"><img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-2559" alt="" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/images_nr_cover_v3.jpg" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px; margin-right: 4px; width: 203px; height: 234px;" width="300" height="345" /></a>Can you remember another year when consumers' voices have been heard so loudly?

A Letter Can Change An Industry

December 17, 2012 · Jamie Court

<a href="http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/case/hyundai-false-advertising-miles-gallon-mpg"><img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-2554" alt="" height="91" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/images_hyundai-40mpg-cars.jpg" style="float: right;" width="295" /></a>If you doubt that writing Washington can make a difference, look at the letter we wrote to the Environmental Protection Agency one year ago. We asked that it audit Hyundai’s self-tested “Miles Per Gallon” claims.

Ford’s Fusion and C-Max “47 MPG” Claims Under Scrutiny

December 13, 2012 · Consumer Watchdog

<a href="http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/get-involved/complaints"><img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-2552" alt="" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/images_ford.png" style="width: 299px; height: 199px; float: right;" width="900" height="598" /></a>If your 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid or C-Max Hybrid is not getting gas mileage anywhere near Ford’s advertised 47 MPG, you probably are not alone. <a href="http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/get-involved/complaints">And Consumer Watchdog would like to hear from you.ââ‚¬Â¨ </a>

Prop 103 California Insurance Reform

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

Homeowners Dropped by Insurers