Insurance

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

July 19, 2012 · Consumer Watchdog

<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.

Answering Questions on Policies for Quakes

July 17, 2012 · Mark Reback

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: 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?"

Insurance Initiative Contenders Wrangle Over Internet Addresses

July 17, 2012 · Mark Reback

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. But the campaign for Proposition 33, waxing Shakespearean, said the complaints are "much ado about nothing."

Are Mileage Lawsuits Picking Up Speed?

July 16, 2012 · Mark Reback

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. 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. That’s not happening.

Opponents Accuse Proposition 33 Backers of Breaking Campaign Law

July 16, 2012 · Mark Reback

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.

Honor Nataline Sarkisyan and Fight For Health Insurance Reform This Saturday

July 11, 2012 · Carmen Balber

<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.

Portable Persistency Now Prop. 33; Consumer Watchdog Attacks

July 10, 2012 · Mark Reback

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.

California Rejects Blue Shield Plan To Close Policies To New Customers

July 4, 2012 · Mark Reback

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. 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.

Health Insurance Rebates: Say Goodbye if Brokers Get Their “Pay Guarantee”

July 3, 2012 · Judy Dugan

Health Insurance Rate Hike Measure Won’t Be on November Ballot

June 29, 2012 · Mark Reback

Proponents of greater state regulation of premiums fail to gather enough signatures to put it before voters in the presidential election. They still hope to get it on the November 2014 ballot. A proposed voter initiative to require greater regulation of health insurance premiums in California has failed to qualify for the November ballot, according to the measure's author.

Initiative on Health Insurance Rates Won’t Make November Ballot

June 28, 2012 · Mark Reback

An initiative that seeks to regulate health insurance rates will not qualify for the November ballot, but proponents say California voters will have a say on the measure in 2014. "We're disappointed, but we're also hopeful that the extra time will make the cause even greater," said Jamie Court, president of the initiative's backer, Consumer Watchdog.

Fate Of Health Insurance Regulation Measure Up In The Air

June 27, 2012 · Mark Reback

<div class="asset-content entry-content lingo_region"> <div class="asset-body"> <div class="asset-content entry-content lingo_region"> <div class="asset-body"> There's still one potential November ballot measure pending - one that would subject health insurance rates to state regulation - and with only hours before the qualification deadline, its fate is up in the air.

Prop 103 California Insurance Reform

New Bill Requires Insurance Companies to Offer and Renew Insurance Coverage for Fire-Safe Homes

Homeowners Dropped by Insurers