Consumer Watchdog

Consumer Watchdog Challenges Recidivist Mercury Insurance for Policyholder Price-Gouging, Discrimination and Deception

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, October 11, 2023
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Consumer Watchdog said its participation in the matter would focus on the company's violations of Proposition 103, the 1988 insurance reform initiative.

Key Points: 
  • Consumer Watchdog said its participation in the matter would focus on the company's violations of Proposition 103, the 1988 insurance reform initiative.
  • Consumer Watchdog noted that Mercury had previously promised CDI it would stop many of these practices, which are unlawful under Proposition 103, but nevertheless continued to violate the law.
  • Mercury, as a repeat offender, must pay a steep price or no insurer will bother to obey the law.
  • Consumer Watchdog looks forward to working with CDI prosecutors to bring Mercury to justice – which we believe means barring Mercury from doing business in the state."

CalGEM Continues 2023 Oil Permit Approvals in Vulnerable Communities, Works Against Legislation Raising Billions in Oil Bonding to Plug Unproductive Wells; Newsom Must Ignore Regulator and Sign AB 1167, Advocacy Groups Say

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, October 5, 2023
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At the same time, the regulator has worked to undermine AB 1167 in the legislature and with the governor.

Key Points: 
  • At the same time, the regulator has worked to undermine AB 1167 in the legislature and with the governor.
  • AB 1167 (Carrillo) is a critical bill to raise billions in bonding from oil companies seeking to sell unproductive wells to ensure plugging costs are covered, Consumer Watchdog and FracTracker Alliance said today.
  • "He must sign this legislation immediately to ensure that the state has enough oil industry bonding to plug idle and orphaned oil wells that poison communities with their emissions—especially because CalGEM is approving so many rework permits in communities."
  • Nevertheless, California regulator CalGEM continues to approve new drilling and rework permits within 3,200 feet of homes, healthcare facilities, and schools.

Governor Signs Medical Board Reform Bill That Will Expand Patients' Voice in Doctor Disciplinary Process

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, October 3, 2023
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The governor's signature on SB 815 gives Californians a voice and rights in the doctor disciplinary process that has left families silenced and with no accountability for patient harm for decades.

Key Points: 
  • The governor's signature on SB 815 gives Californians a voice and rights in the doctor disciplinary process that has left families silenced and with no accountability for patient harm for decades.
  • "I would like to thank the medical board for listening to advocates and the legislature for ensuring that families now have a voice in the enforcement process," said San Jose patient advocate Maria Ibarra Navarrette.
  • Significant patient safety reforms were stripped from the medical board bill that would have further strengthened doctor oversight in California.
  • Read more about the medical board in Consumer Watchdog's sunset review letter to the legislative Medical Board oversight committees, and hear advocates' testimony for reform .

California Gas Price Gap With US Grows To $1.86 Per Gallon; New State Market Monitor Pins Price Spike On Potential Spot Market Manipulation & Refinery Maintenance, Says Consumer Watchdog

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, September 27, 2023
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The average price for California gasoline was $5.69 per gallon on 9/25 and the average US price was $3.83, according to the EIA.

Key Points: 
  • The average price for California gasoline was $5.69 per gallon on 9/25 and the average US price was $3.83, according to the EIA.
  • "When the gap between US and California pump prices are $1.50 or more per gallon something is wrong.
  • The new gasoline market monitor has pointed to problems with refinery maintenance and inventory management and a questionable transaction in the spot market that artificially drove up the price at the pump.
  • One trade at an artificially inflated price can drive up the price of gasoline at every gasoline station in the state.

Lara's Deal with Insurance Industry Does Nothing for Consumers and Does Not Address Climate Change, Says Consumer Watchdog

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, September 26, 2023
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Consumer Watchdog has recommended establishment of a state land use commission to address this, and that insurance companies be required to insure all homeowners who harden their homes.

Key Points: 
  • Consumer Watchdog has recommended establishment of a state land use commission to address this, and that insurance companies be required to insure all homeowners who harden their homes.
  • Rules finalized last year require insurance companies to offer discounts to homeowners who protect their homes from fire.
  • However, the discounts that insurers began proposing in April have yet to be approved for implementation by the Department of Insurance.
  • "The insurance industry has shifted all of the costs of climate change onto homeowners, by non-renewing policies, increasing premiums, and delaying and denying claims.

Consumer Watchdog Says Lara's Undisclosed Deal Will Allow Insurance Companies to Use Algorithms And Reinsurance Costs to Hike Home Insurance Rates, Potentially Turning California Into Florida

Retrieved on: 
Friday, September 22, 2023
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"Consumer Watchdog will not allow Lara to derail the right of consumers to challenge the insurance companies or the Department, under which Consumer Watchdog has saved Californians over $3 billion over the last twenty years.

Key Points: 
  • "Consumer Watchdog will not allow Lara to derail the right of consumers to challenge the insurance companies or the Department, under which Consumer Watchdog has saved Californians over $3 billion over the last twenty years.
  • We will carefully monitor the Commissioner's and his agency's actions, and, as we have for decades, defend and protect the rights of California voters.
  • "The use of catastrophic modeling and adding of reinsurance costs to premiums has pushed Florida premiums up 2 to 3 times higher than California's" said Jamie Court, president of Consumer Watchdog.
  • "California is in danger of becoming Florida with these changes that mimic the failed strategies in the Florida.

Consumer Watchdog Urges Newsom Not To Call State of Emergency On Insurance and Put Himself and Other 3% of Homeowners Over the 97% Who Would Face Rate Hikes

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, September 21, 2023
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"By signaling a state of emergency, you would be empowering the Commissioner to put your 3% above the needs of the 97% -- without any guarantees that the 3% would even be offered insurance coverage."

Key Points: 
  • "While this is unfair to you and others, it does not constitute a statewide emergency that justifies forcing the other 97% of people in the homeowners insurance market to pay more for their insurance.
  • Lara accepted tens of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from insurance companies, after claiming he would not, then was forced to return them.
  • His public calendar for recent months is littered with meetings with insurance companies, but not a single meeting with consumer groups.
  • This is a problem with land use that has nothing to do with the insurance companies demands for quicker, higher rates.

Fifty-Five Organizations Call on Gov. Newsom to Veto Bill Weakening His Landmark Refinery Price Gouging Bill, says Consumer Watchdog

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, September 21, 2023
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This bill undermines SBX 1-2, legislation championed by Governor Gavin Newsom to create regulatory oversight for the state's refiners, after California drivers faced record prices at the pump in 2022.

Key Points: 
  • This bill undermines SBX 1-2, legislation championed by Governor Gavin Newsom to create regulatory oversight for the state's refiners, after California drivers faced record prices at the pump in 2022.
  • Maintenance periods have strategically been used by refiners as moments to spike prices for drivers, providing the rationale behind adding more robust regulatory oversight during those periods within SBX 1-2.
  • SB 842 limits the ability of the state to prevent unnecessary refinery maintenance.
  • "Thanks to your leadership, the bill was passed and signed, marking a historic victory for everyday Californians over corporate greed."

Dirty Last Minute Deal To Weaken Gasoline Price Gouging Law Passes Under Radar; Gasoline Prices Up Steeply In California And State Has Failed To Respond, Says Consumer Watchdog

Retrieved on: 
Friday, September 15, 2023
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"With gasoline prices spiking in California, this is no time to weaken a price gouging law that has barely taken effect," said Jamie Court, president of Consumer Watchdog.

Key Points: 
  • "With gasoline prices spiking in California, this is no time to weaken a price gouging law that has barely taken effect," said Jamie Court, president of Consumer Watchdog.
  • "Governor Newsom should veto this eleventh hour attack on his gasoline price gouging law.
  • His regulators need all the tools in their shed to combat the increasing gasoline prices in California that are now $1.43 more than US gasoline prices.
  • "California refiners are testing the state's resolve as their profit margins climb with gasoline prices," said Court.

Medical Board Reform Bill That Will Expand Patients' Voice in Doctor Disciplinary Process Heads to Governor Newsom, Says Consumer Watchdog

Retrieved on: 
Friday, September 15, 2023
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However key reforms were stripped from the medical board bill that would have further strengthened patient safety and doctor oversight in California.

Key Points: 
  • However key reforms were stripped from the medical board bill that would have further strengthened patient safety and doctor oversight in California.
  • Injured patients and the families of those lost to medical negligence have spent years calling for these changes.
  • The bill as sent to the governor will increase fees to $1151 in 2023 and $1250 in 2027.
  • Two years ago, the legislature delayed substantive reform of the enforcement process and board operations by appointing an Enforcement Monitor to make recommendations.