Insurance

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>

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 />

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>

Are Mileage Lawsuits Picking Up Speed?

July 16, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p> Whenever I am asked about a particular car or truck and its mileage, I usually get the same reaction when I tell them the particular mpg.</p> <p> Most people say, “Yeah, but we know it won’t really get that mileage.” You’d think by now that most people don’t truly believe the sticker mileage and would just accept it.</p> <p> That’s not happening.</p>

Opponents Accuse Proposition 33 Backers of Breaking Campaign Law

July 16, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p> SACRAMENTO -- Opponents of an auto insurance industry-backed ballot measure are accusing the pro-Proposition 33 campaign of breaking the law by grabbing online domains that appeal to voters opposed to the measure and redirecting them to the Yes campaign's website.<br /> <br />

Honor Nataline Sarkisyan and Fight For Health Insurance Reform This Saturday

July 11, 2012  ·  Carmen Balber

<p> <a href="http://www.itsmyseat.com//events/232875.html"><img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-2446" alt="" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/images_fashionlegacy.png" style="width: 221px; height: 136px; float: right; margin-left: 7px; margin-right: 7px;" width="221" height="136" /></a>Consumer Watchdog Hall of Famer <a href="http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/video/hilda-sarkisyans-speech-2011-rage-justice-awards">Hilda Sarkisyan lost her 17-year-old daughter Nataline</a> after their insurance company CIGNA refused to pay for a potentially life-saving transplant.</p>

Portable Persistency Now Prop. 33; Consumer Watchdog Attacks

July 10, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p> An initiative to establish portable persistency discounts for automobile insurance on Tuesday was assigned a number by the Secretary of State, and shortly afterward the newly named Proposition 33 came under attack by Santa Monica, Calif.-based Consumer Watchdog.</p>

California Rejects Blue Shield Plan To Close Policies To New Customers

July 4, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p> California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones denied Blue Shield of California's plan to close several of its health policies to new customers, saying it violated state rules designed to protect consumers from large rate increases.<br /> <br /> Regulators routinely scrutinize efforts by health insurers to stop enrollment on some policies because the pool of existing customers can face escalating premiums as policyholders get older and incur more medical claims, without healthier applicants to offset those costs.<br /> <br />