Insurance

Tax-Dodger CEOS Race to Cheat Californians–Watch It Now!

August 8, 2012  ·  Judy Dugan

<p><img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-2206" alt="" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/images_judydrawingname.gif" style="margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; float: right; width: 133px; height: 200px; " width="133" height="200" />Consumer Watchdog has been growling for a while about global corporations that <a href="http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/newsrelease/out-state-corporations-fighting-keep-tax-loophole-are-top-us-tax-dodgers-says-consumer-w">use a tax loophole</a> to pay less in California corporate taxes than in-state companies.

Revenge of the Insurance Deregulators

August 7, 2012  ·  Jamie Court

<p><img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-2470" alt="" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/georgevemavigliseph-2.jpg" style="width: 248px; height: 300px; float: right;" width="248" height="300" />Sacramento loves to hate Consumer Watchdog, because we expose the dirty deeds politicians do for corporations, confront regulators who are asleep at the switch, and don’t believe you have to go along with big corporations to get along.  We also take on the rich and powerful in the initiative process on behalf of consumers, which the legislature and lobbyists consider a slap in the face.<br /> <br />

Revenge of the Insurance Deregulators

August 6, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

Sacramento loves to hate Consumer Watchdog, because we expose the dirty deeds politicians do for corporations, confront regulators who are asleep at the switch, and don’t believe you have to go along with big corporations to get along. We also take on the rich and powerful in the initiative process on behalf of consumers, which the legislature and lobbyists consider a slap in the face.

California Parks are Suffering but Corporate Tax Dodgers Keep Dodging

August 3, 2012  ·  Liza Tucker

<p> We all know that California’s budget is in bad shape. It ended the year with a cash deficit of $9.6 billion dollars, papered over with internal borrowing and accounting sleight-of- hand. And we know that Governor <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-07-10/california-deficit-1-billion-smaller-controller-says.html">Jerry Brown is counting on voters</a> approving a tax hike come November.</p>

Insurance Deregulators Attack – Fight Back

August 3, 2012  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p> <img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-2466" alt="" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/jamiepic-new1.jpg" style="width: 133px; height: 200px; float: right;" width="133" height="200" />We’ve been sued by an insurance company billionaire.  He wants to stop the public from knowing how deceptive insurance-backed Proposition 33 really is.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/6563/p/salsa/donation/common/public/?donate_page_KEY=7545"><strong>Help us fight back - donate to our legal defense today!</strong></a><br /> <br />

Prop. 33 Proponents: Ballot Writers Don’t Understand Insurance Industry

August 1, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p> As proponents of California Proposition 33 await a hearing on a lawsuit they filed to change some wording in voter guide statements for the upcoming November election, they’re hoping to avoid the damage that could be done by language they fear could be used against them by opponents of the measure.</p>

Health Law Requires Insurers To Spend Premiums On Patients — Or Pay Rebates

July 31, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p> (CBS News) LOS ANGELES - You've probably never seen a rebate check from your health insurance company. But, for the first time, many consumers and businesses will be getting checks over the next few weeks. There's a little known part of the health care reform law that requires insurance companies to spend 80 percent of their premiums on health care or reimburse the customer.</p> <p> Earlier this month, Jamie Court got a check in the mail from his health insurance company. It was for more than $4,000.</p>

Lawsuit Questions Voter-Guide Statements On Car Insurance Initiative

July 30, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p>  </p> <p> SACRAMENTO -- Proponents of an auto insurance discount initiative -- backed financially by the chairman of Mercury General Corp. -- are accusing the state attorney general and their opponents of submitting incorrect statements for the official ballot pamphlet.</p> <p> The campaign to pass Proposition 33 in November filed a lawsuit on Friday contending that the legal "title and summary" that is to be put before voters contains "inaccurate language that is highly likely to prejudice voters against the measure."</p>

Ballot Pamphlet Challenged In Court By Backers Of Insurance Measure

July 30, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p> Months before voters will have their say, a court fight has blown up over the ballot pamphlet governing Proposition 33, an initiative that would rewrite some of the rules governing auto insurance in California.<br /> <br /> Proponents of the initiative, which is backed by chairman George Joseph of Mercury Insurance Group of Los Angeles, filed suit Friday in Sacramento Superior Court, trying to get the voter information pamphlet rewritten.<br /> <br />

Were you surprised about how little is covered by your Blue Shield policy?

July 19, 2012  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p> <img class=" size-full wp-image-2450" alt="" class="right" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/images_blueshieldthumb.gif" style="width: 100px; height: 100px;" width="100" height="100" />Consumer Watchdog is investigating Blue Shield’s outrageous practice of forcing consumers to pay 100% of the charge for tests, treatments, and services that should have been be covered.</p>

Insurance Initiative Contenders Wrangle Over Internet Addresses

July 17, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p> SACRAMENTO -- Opponents of an auto insurance initiative on the November ballot are accusing supporters of violating state cyber-fraud laws by buying up all the addresses for potential yes and no Internet sites.</p> <p> But the campaign for Proposition 33, waxing Shakespearean, said the complaints are "much ado about nothing."</p>

Answering Questions on Policies for Quakes

July 17, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p> My July 9 column on new policy options from the California Earthquake Authority generated a fair number of questions about earthquake insurance in general. Here are some answers:<br /> <br /> Q:Kevin P. asks, "Let's say there's an earthquake. Your house isn't damaged, but a fire breaks out in the neighborhood as a result of the quake, and your house is burned. Does your fire insurance cover this, or would it be refused because the damage was indirectly the result of a quake?"<br /> <br />