Insurance

Best Corporate Flip-Flop of 2011

December 29, 2011 · Doug Heller

<img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-2330" alt="" class="right" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/images_protestblueshield.jpg" style="width: 250px; height: 129px; float: right; margin-left: 7px; margin-right: 7px;" width="250" height="129" />It was a shocking figure. Some Blue Shield policyholders were going to pay rate increases of 86%. Consumer Watchdog, together with nurses and patients, showed up at Blue Shield's headquarters in San Francisco to protest the greed that could lead to such an attempted rip-off.

Time Warner Rate Hike Punishes Loyalty

December 27, 2011 · Mark Reback

Happy holidays. Your cable rates are going up. Again. In its most Grinch-like fashion, Time Warner Cable, the dominant cable company in Southern California, is alerting customers that rates for nearly all its services will increase as of the next bill. Some rates will be significantly higher, such as a 27.4% increase to $17 from $13.34 just to receive local broadcast channels.

Consumer Group Hammers Mercury Rate Increase Filing in California

December 22, 2011 · Mark Reback

A California consumer group is challenging a rate hike bid by Mercury Insurance because the group claims the company is trying to pass along the costs of its political campaigning. But the insurer says those costs are not included in the rate hike. Santa Monica-based Consumer Watchdog says the costs involve millions of dollars in political contributions for a 2010 campaign the group viewed an “anti-consumer” proposition on the California ballot.

AT&T’s Collapsed Merger Deal: A Crack in the Corporateers’ Armor??

December 21, 2011 · Judy Dugan

Federal Insurance Office May Monitor and Advise, Not Regulate

December 19, 2011 · Carmen Balber

Mercury, Consumer Watchdog Spar Over Rate Hike Proposal

December 19, 2011 · Mark Reback

In a sign the 2012 insurance wars have begun, a consumer group that routinely seeks to block rate increases has accused auto insurance giant Mercury General of illegally passing onto consumers the cost of its 2010 ballot measure campaign. Consumer Watchdog is seeking to block a Mercury subsidiary's request to raise rates on its auto insurance policies by an average of 6 percent, a move Consumer Watchdog says will cost consumers nearly $89 million.

Feds Deny Florida’s Request for More Time on Insurance Rule

December 15, 2011 · Mark Reback

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- As many as 2 million Floridians could see lower health insurance premiums or get rebates next year now that the Obama administration has denied Florida's request to waive new cost-cutting rules for the state's insurance providers. Under last year's health care reform law, insurers must spend at least 80 cents of every premium dollar on medical care as opposed to administrative costs, brokers' fees or profits. Companies that spend less must rebate their customers the difference.

Consumer Watchdog Urges Hyundai to Pull 40-MPG Claim from Elantra Ads

December 15, 2011 · Mark Reback

Consumer Watchdog is not backing down from its bid of calling out Hyundai‘s MPG claims for their popular Elantra, and has now issued out a letter to Hyundai’s CEO asking the company to pull its prominent 40-mpg claims from car’s advertisements until the EPA re-tests the model.

Hyundai Elantra’s Poor MPG Frustrates Eco-Aware Drivers

December 14, 2011 · Judy Dugan

Blue Cross Claims Fake Credit for “Free” Care

December 13, 2011 · Judy Dugan

When I first noticed the ad below while hunting for cookie recipes, I was surprised to see a health insurance company buying a full page in the first pages of a cooking magazine. But reading it was another surprise. The headline touts "Free Annual Checkups," and the text of the Anthem Blue Cross ad takes credit for this brand-new benefit: "100% coverage for checkups, flu shots and other preventive services."

Miles Per Gallon: When It Comes To Fuel Economy, Double-Check The Sticker

December 13, 2011 · Mark Reback

The giant, bold-faced "40 MPG" greeted drivers on New York's Long Island Expressway for months. The Hyundai Elantra, proudly displaying its new sweet spot for consumers seeking fuel economy. As gas prices have climbed over the last four years, to highs of $3.29 per gallon this holiday season, the pinch of filling up a gas tank has become particularly excruciating.

Health Insurance Premiums Rising Faster Than Incomes For California Families, Study Reveals

December 11, 2011 · Mark Reback

<img class=" size-full wp-image-9480" alt="" class="right" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/images_hcpremiumschart.jpg" style="width: 251px; height: 166px;" width="381" height="252" />Everyone knows health insurance costs are rising rapidly, but a new study mreveals just how heavy a toll that takes on businesses, families and single people. The numbers are sobering, and they are one reason why wages have stagnated, experts say.

Prop 103 California Insurance Reform

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

Homeowners Dropped by Insurers