Insurance

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 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 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 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>

Editorial: Prop. 33 Benefits Insurers More Than Car Owners

September 1, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p>Proposition 33 on the Nov. 6 ballot is an industry-backed plan to change California law affecting the price of car insurance.<br /> <br /> The Star recommends a "no" vote on Proposition 33 because its negative effects would outweigh any benefits to drivers and the public.<br /> <br /> The ballot measure's major financial backer, to the tune of millions of dollars, is insurance magnate George Joseph, chairman of Mercury Insurance. He also was the major backer of Proposition 17, an unsuccessful 2010 initiative nearly identical to this year's Proposition 33.<br />

Wellpoint CEO Braly Self-Destructs

August 29, 2012  ·  Carmen Balber

<p><img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-2482" alt="" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/images_braly-quote1.jpg" style="width: 189px; height: 300px; margin-left: 7px; margin-right: 7px; float: right;" width="189" height="300" />Angela Braly was sacked as the head of health insurance giant Wellpoint yesterday - but not necessarily for the right reasons.</p> <p>Wall Street banks and billionaire investors complained about the company's profit margins and a slipping stock price. (Put that in perspective: Wellpoint had $13 billion in profits last year.)</p>

WellPoint CEO Angela Braly Quits, Bowing To Investor Pressure

August 29, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p><b>Dogged by criticism, WellPoint CEO Angela Braly abruptly resigns, and the health insurance giant that runs Anthem Blue Cross in California names an interim CEO.</b></p> <p><br /> <img class=" size-full wp-image-9799" alt="" class="right" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/images_angelabraly.jpg" style="width: 200px; height: 302px;" width="338" height="510" />Bowing to intense investor pressure, the chairwoman and chief executive of health insurance giant WellPoint Inc. abruptly resigned and the company named an interim CEO.</p>

Regulatory Debate Erupts Over Whether Small Employers Will Dodge Employee Health Benefits

August 29, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p>OLDWICK, N.J. -- A debate is brewing over health insurance coverage for small businesses, with consumer advocates contending that very small employers will try to self insure and use medical stop-loss insurance with low deductibles to avoid compliance with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.<br /> <br />

Who Really Benefits From Prop 33?

August 29, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p>If approved in November, Proposition 33 would allow auto insurers to offer discounts to new customers who have had continuous coverage for the past five years.</p> <p>Sound familiar?</p>