Insurance

Rate Hike Challenge Saves $25 Million for General Ins. Co. Homeowner Policyholders

March 6, 2025  ·  Ben Powell

Los Angeles, CA – Consumer Watchdog reached a settlement this week with General Insurance Company of America and the California Department of Insurance, resolving the company’s...

Consumer Watchdog Opposes State Farm’s Emergency Rate Hike Following Meeting with Insurance Commissioner Lara

February 26, 2025  ·  Will Pletcher

Los Angeles, CA – Following today’s meeting with California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, State Farm General Insurance (SFG), and the California Department of Insurance (CDI),...

Consumer Watchdog Agrees With Insurance Commissioner Lara That State Farm Needs To Provide More Information Before Getting Rate Hike, But Should Be Provided in Full Hearing

February 14, 2025  ·  Jamie Court

Los Angeles, CA – Consumer Watchdog said that Insurance Commissioner Lara is right in asking for more information from State Farm before approving its request...

Homeowner Surcharge to Bailout Insurers for FAIR Plan Losses Unfair and Illegal, Says Consumer Watchdog

February 11, 2025  ·  Carmen Balber

Los Angeles, CA – Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara announced today he would let home insurance companies charge every homeowner in the state for losses by...

Consumer Watchdog Calls on Insurance Commissioner to Reject State Farm’s Unjustified Emergency Rate Hike Request

February 7, 2025  ·  Carmen Balber

Los Angeles, CA – Consumer Watchdog has submitted two letters to Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara objecting to State Farm’s request for an emergency interim rate increase,...

Insurance Industry, U.S. House GOP, Exploit California Wildfire Disaster to Promote Deregulation in Congress

February 6, 2025  ·  Carmen Balber

Proven Consumer Protections, Investments in Disaster Resilience, and Eliminating Industry Subsidy of Fossil Fuels Are How to Keep American Homeowners Insured Los Angeles, CA – Consumer...

Trying to Cash in On Wildfire Tragedy, State Farm Demands Immediate $740 Million Bailout

February 3, 2025  ·  Carmen Balber

Los Angeles, CA — State Farm this morning asked Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara to authorize an immediate 22% increase in State Farm’s home insurance rates, amounting...

Consumer Watchdog: Wildfire and Windstorm Alert for Los Angeles County and Surrounding Areas

January 13, 2025  ·  Will Pletcher

If your home has been destroyed or damaged by the recent wildfires or windstorms in California, it’s essential to know your rights and available resources.

Lara Reinsurance Regulation To Pump Up Homeowners Rates By 40% Without Guarantees of New Wildfire Coverage, No Opportunity For Public Input

December 30, 2024  ·  Jamie Court

The new draft regulation proposed by Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara would allow insurance companies to drive up home insurance rates by 40% to 50%

KTVU-SF (FOX) – San Francisco, CA: Home Insurance Relief On The Horizon

December 18, 2024  ·  Carmen Balber

Carmen Balber says we think that the way to do this right is to require a public catastrophe model developed by state experts, academics who can crunch the numbers, do the science, and then open up the math to the public so we can be confident that insurance companies are using information that's fair and accurate in predicting future climate risk.

Consumer Watchdog Saves California Policyholders $47 Million in United Financial Auto Insurance Rate Hikes

December 17, 2024  ·  Ben Powell

Los Angeles, CA —  Consumer Watchdog reached a settlement with United Financial Casualty Company and the California Department of Insurance last week, resolving the company’s application with...

Secret Algorithms to Raise Home Insurance Rates, No Requirement for New Coverage, Under Lara Regulations Issued Today 

December 13, 2024  ·  Carmen Balber

Consumers should expect large rate hikes but not more insurance policies sold under new rules issued by Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara