Insurance

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>

FCC To Test Mobile Broadband Speeds

September 6, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<div class="slb-post-header"> <h2 class="slb-post-title">  </h2> </div> <div class="body parsys"> <div class="parbase image slate_image section"> <div class="sl-art-illo-cntr" style="width:568px;float:left;width:568px;"> <img alt="151286756" class="cq-dd-image sl-img-no-new-tab sl-art-illo" height="346" src="http://www.slate.com/content/dam/slate/blogs/trending/2012/09/06/fcc_mobile_broadband_speed_tests_coming_/151286756.jpg.CROP.rectangle3-large.jpg" title="151286756" width="568" /> <div class="sl-art-illo-cap">

FCC To Evaluate Telecom Carriers’ Mobile Broadband Speed

September 6, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p>The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will commence evaluation of the mobile broadband speed to help customers know if they are getting value for money.</p> <p>A public meeting will be held Sept.21 in Washington D.C. to seek participation by other parties including researchers, PC World reported.</p> <p>At the meeting, the FCC will hold discussion on testing mobile service for acquiring and analyzing performance data.</p>

FCC To Seek Real-World Data On Mobile Speeds

September 5, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<h2> The agency says major carriers and CTIA have already agreed to cooperate with the initiative</h2> <p>The U.S. Federal Communications Commission is getting ready to measure mobile data speeds in a joint project with major carriers and other participants.</p> <p>On Sept. 21, the FCC will hold a public meeting in Washington, D.C., where it will seek participation by other parties, including public researchers. At the meeting, FCC staff will discuss methods for testing mobile service and for remotely acquiring and analyzing performance data.</p>