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Insurance news, investigations, and reform — auto, home, and health insurance rates, claims denials, and industry accountability.
Yes On Prop. 33 Campaign Redefines ‘Volunteer’

Yes On Prop. 33 Campaign Redefines ‘Volunteer’

<p>The sponsors of Proposition 33, a measure to allow auto insurers to charge higher or lower rates based on whether a driver had coverage in the previous five years, don't seem content just to <a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/opinion-la/la-ol-proposition-33-distortions-begin-early-20120911,0,4098301.story">stretch the truth</a> about the nature of their measure (which The Times' editorial board <a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/endorsements/la-ed-end-prop33-auto-insurance-discounts-20120920,0,657143.story">opposes</a>).
Prop. 33 Asks Voters to Reconsider How Auto Insurance Discounts Work

Prop. 33 Asks Voters to Reconsider How Auto Insurance Discounts Work

<p>California voters are getting a chance to tweak the state’s car insurance rules when they consider the fate of <a href="http://vig.cdn.sos.ca.gov/2012/general/pdf/33-title-summ-analysis.pdf" target="_blank" title="http://vig.cdn.sos.ca.gov/2012/general/pdf/33-title-summ-analysis.pdf" rel="noopener">Proposition 33.</a> The November ballot item asks voters to change the way car insurance rates are calculated in California. The measure proposes tweaking current rules to allow companies to consider a driver’s insurance history when setting how much they will pay.</p>
No On Warmed-Over Prop. 33

No On Warmed-Over Prop. 33

<p><a href="http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/opinion/ci_21639046/editorial-endorsement-no-warmed-over-prop-33">Click here to read the original editorial from the Santa Cruz Sential.</a></p> <p>Proposition 33 on the Nov. 6 ballot is a testament, or an indictment, of one auto insurance company's dogged pursuit of recruiting customers while charging more to Californians who are either buying policies for the first time or have let their coverage lapse.</p> <p>This measure closely resembles 2010's Proposition 17, which voters rejected.</p>
New survey: Americans don’t want insurance rates tied to prior insurance coverage

New survey: Americans don’t want insurance rates tied to prior insurance coverage

<p><img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-2279" alt="" class="right" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/images_dougdrawingname.gif" style="width: 133px; height: 200px; margin-left: 7px; margin-right: 7px; float: right;" width="133" height="200" />The Consumer Federation of America released a <a href="http://consumerfed.org/news/599">new report today</a> assessing consumer views on the factors insurance companies use to set premiums around the country.  Not surprisingly, Americans think that insurance rates should be based primarily on motorists' driving safety record (87% and 85% of respondents believe rates should reflect a driver's number of accidents
No On 33

No On 33

<p><a href="http://www.nctimes.com/news/opinion/editorial/editorial-no-on/article_e14d6701-0837-55e3-a606-5e50864fc11c.html">Click here to read the original editorial from the North County Times.</a></p> <p>Anyone who has read these pages at all over the past 15 years, since the North County Times was founded out of the merger of the Blade-Citizen and Times Advocate, knows well that we pretty strongly favor a deregulated market where consumers decide winners and losers purely via their buying decisions.</p>
Prop. 33: Don’t Be Fooled By Promise of Discount

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

<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

Prop. 33: Proposal Will Lead To Higher Rates

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

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

<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

Fight Over Prop. 33 Ads Following Attack In Libya

<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

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

<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

Health Insurers Hike Rates, Ignore Government

<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 />