Insurance

Prop. 33: Don’t Be Fooled By Promise of Discount

September 21, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p>As a student at the <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=opinion%2Fopenforum&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22University+of+San+Francisco%22">University of San Francisco</a>, I find like many San Franciscans that living in the city means I don't need a car. Even if I wanted a car, USF doesn't allow us to have them on campus. With tuition going up every year, auto insurance is an extra expense I don't need, so I'm thinking of canceling my insurance.</p>

Prop. 33: Proposal Will Lead To Higher Rates

September 20, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p>I grew up in Chula Vista and have been around military families all my life. Two years ago I got married and became part of a military family myself. I’m proud of my husband’s service. But I’m shocked at the cynical use of military families in the advertising campaign for Proposition 33, which is 99 percent bankrolled by one billionaire insurance company executive.<br /> <br />

No on Proposition 33 – The auto insurance initiative was a bad idea two years ago; it’s still a bad idea.

September 20, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p><a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/endorsements/la-ed-end-prop33-auto-insurance-discounts-20120920,0,657143.story">Click here to read the original editorial in the Los Angeles Times</a>.</p>

Prop. 33 Is An Old Jalopy With A New Coat Of Paint

September 15, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p><a href="http://www.sacbee.com/2012/09/15/4821876/endorsement-prop-33-is-an-old.html">Click here to read the original editorial from the Sacramento Bee</a></p> <p>California voters have a basic question to answer when deciding Proposition 33, a self-interested initiative funded by billionaire George Joseph, founder of Mercury General Corp. Should Mercury and other auto insurance companies be allowed to charge higher rates for people who are new to auto insurance, or are re-entering the auto insurance market after having dropped coverage?</p> <p>The answer should be a resounding no.</p>

Fight Over Prop. 33 Ads Following Attack In Libya

September 14, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p>Opponents of <a href="http://http://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/Prop-33-restarts-auto-insurance-debate-3852190.php" target="_top" rel="noopener">the November ballot measure Proposition 33</a> demanded Thursday that the campaign backing the insurance initiative pull its radio ads focusing on the military, calling them “deceptive and disrespectful.”</p>

Prop. 33 A Bad Idea That Won’t Go Away

September 14, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p><a href="http://www.sfgate.com/opinion/editorials/article/Prop-33-a-bad-idea-that-won-t-go-away-3866761.php#ixzz26UoXifUI">Click here to read the original editorial from The San Francisco Chronicle</a>.</p>

Health Insurers Hike Rates, Ignore Government

September 14, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p>Consumer advocates are questioning the fairness of requiring Americans to buy health coverage under the Affordable Care Act if the government can't control the rates insurance companies charge.<br /> <br />

Consumer Watchdog Slams Calif. Prop. 33 Campaign over Libya Tragedy

September 13, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p>The battle over an automobile insurance persistency initiative is heating up, with the latest volley over a radio advertisement targeting a military audience that opponents are calling on to be removed following the tragedy in Libya where Libyan Ambassador Christopher Stevens was killed on Tuesday along with three others during an attack on a U.S. Consulate in Benghazi.</p>

Proposition 33: The Distortions Begin Early

September 12, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p>Proposition 33, an initiative to let auto insurers offer discounts to competitors' customers, isn't quite the same as Proposition 17, a similar proposal that voters rejected in 2010. But the campaign in favor of the measure seems to be following the same truth-distorting playbook.</p>

Proposition 33: A Corporation’s Abuse of the Citizen’s Initiative System

September 11, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p>If you ever needed a case study in how one rich individual can buy a law that favors his auto insurance business while screwing consumers, Proposition 33 would fit the bill perfectly. It’s such a bad apple that other insurance companies, not exactly known for their pro-consumer attitudes when it comes to making money, won’t even support this law. Not that they wouldn’t benefit, but they’re embarrassed by its audacity.</p>

Insurance Executive Increases His Payout To Greenlining

September 11, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p>A consumer group that supports Mercury Insurance in its efforts to charge some drivers higher rates just got a donation of $195,000 from Mercury's founder. The money is going to create a political operation supporting two ballot measures – Mercury's Prop. 33 and Prop. 38, a tax measure sponsored by Molly Munger, who also gave the group $225,000.</p>

Prop. 33 Restarts Auto Insurance Debate

September 9, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p>An initiative on the November ballot that would allow auto insurers to base their prices in part on a driver's coverage history is pitting an executive at one of the state's largest insurance companies against a consumer advocacy group for the second time in as many years.</p>