Consumer Watchdog

Transamerica Settles Class-Action Suit Worth Up to $88 Million in Credits

By Timothy Darragh, BEST WIRE

April 8, 2020

Transamerica Life Insurance Co. has agreed to settle a class-action lawsuit filed by policyholders who alleged it improperly increased monthly charges on their universal life insurance policies.

According to the settlement agreement in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, Transamerica will pay up to $88 million in account value credits to policies in effect and those for which death claims were pending as of Dec. 31, 2019.

Watchdog Says Car Insurance Companies Should Reduce Premiums

By Randy Mac, KNBC TV-4 Los Angeles, CA

April 7, 2020

https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/watchdog-says-car-insurance-companie…

On Monday Allstate insurance announced it’s issuing partial refunds to its car insurance customers due to “stay at home” orders. But consumer advocates say the entire industry needs to step up.

The once clogged freeways in the LA region are mostly empty.

California Issues First New Fracking Permits Since July

By Adam Beam, ASSOCIATED PRESS

April 4, 2020

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/california-issues-first-new-fracking-…

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California issued 24 hydraulic fracturing permits on Friday, authorizing the first new oil wells in the state since July of last year and angering environmental groups who have been pressuring the state to ban the procedure known as fracking.

Fracking In California Gets Green Light After 9-Month Pause; Aera Energy Receives Permits

By Janet Wilson, THE DESERT SUN

April 3, 2020

https://www.desertsun.com/story/news/environment/2020/04/03/calgem-appr…
 

California regulators on Friday issued fracking permits for the first time in nine months, saying federal scientists had given clearance for 24 permits to Aera Energy for oil well stimulation in Kern County.

How Auto Insurers Use Your Nondriving Habits To Raise Prices

By Kayda Norman, ASSOCIATED PRESS / NERD WALLET

February 26, 2020

https://www.thetelegraph.com/business/article/How-auto-insurers-use-you…

You expect your car insurance rates to increase after you buy a new vehicle, cause a crash or add a young driver to your policy. But some insurers jack up prices based on seemingly unrelated data - like your magazine subscriptions or what groceries you buy.

Rally At State Of The State Calls On Newsom To Phase Out Oil Production

By Dan Bacher, INDY BAY MEDIA

February 22, 2020

https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2020/02/22/18830901.php

On the morning of February 19, activists from groups affiliated with the Last Chance Alliance held a spirited rally on the sidewalk outside the west steps of the Capitol just before Governor Newsom delivered his State of the State address.

If You’ve Found It Impossible to Recycle in California, You’re Not the Only One

By Lolita Lopez, KNBC TV-4 Los Angeles, CA

February 19, 2020

https://www.nbclosangeles.com/investigations/recycling-centers-closed-c…

Many Californians are having a tough time recycling bottles and cans and getting back deposits as hundreds of recycling centers shutter throughout the state -- but something else is going on behind the scenes that is making it even worse. 

Here’s how it’s supposed to work: 

Group Sues California Commissioner Over Public Records Of Dealings With Insurance Executives

By Staff Writers, INSURANCE JOURNAL

February 18, 2020

https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/west/2020/02/18/558731.htm

A non-profit consumer group announced on Tuesday it has filed a lawsuit to compel California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara and the California Department of Insurance to hand over records of Lara’s meetings and communications with insurance companies.

U.S. Senator Says Tesla Should Change 'Autopilot' Name

Sen. Ed Markey alleges Tesla drivers are confused by the name and capabilities of Autopilot.

By David A. Wood, CARCOMPLAINTS.COM

February 4, 2020

https://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2020/tesla-should-change-autopilot-n…

The Tesla "Autopilot" name allegedly should be changed to clarify the technology isn't fully autonomous and it requires a driver to stay fully engaged with the vehicle and its surroundings.

Bill Requiring Beverage Makers To Handle Recycling Dies

By Don Thompson, AP - THE SANTA ROSA PRESS-DEMOCRAT

January 30, 2020

https://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/10652542-181/bill-requiring-beverage…

SACRAMENTO — A California state senator on Thursday ended his effort to pass a bill requiring beverage distributors to create a new system to take back their own containers, though advocates said they will keep pushing the issue this year.

Bay Area Legislator’s Bill Requiring Beverage Makers to Handle Recycling Dies

By Staff Writers, ASSOCIATED PRESS - KPIX CBS TV-5 San Francisco, CA

January 30, 2020

https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2020/01/30/bay-area-legislator-bill-r…

SACRAMENTO (AP) — A California state senator on Thursday ended his effort to pass a bill requiring beverage distributors to create a new system to take back their own containers, though advocates said they will keep pushing the issue this year.

Consumer Group Objects as Mercury General Proposes 5% Auto Rate Hike in California

By Timothy Darragh, BESTWIRE

January 29, 2020

http://news.ambest.com/newscontent.aspx?altsrc=108&refnum=223140

Mercury Insurance Co. subsidiary California Auto Insurance Co. is seeking a 5% rate hike for drivers in the state, which has a consumer group up in arms.

California Department of Insurance records show CAIC issued its request for an increase Dec. 6.

Advocacy Group Urges California Regulator To Reject Proposed Auto Rate Spike

By Duffie Osental, INSURANCE BUSINESS AMERICA

January 28, 2020

https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/us/news/breaking-news/advocacy-gro…

Advocacy group Consumer Watchdog has urged California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara to reject a proposed 5% auto insurance rate increase by Mercury Insurance Company that “discriminates against lower income, less-educated drivers.”

How Auto Insurers Use Your Nondriving Habits to Raise Prices

Safe, loyal drivers aren't always rewarded with cheaper rates.

By Kayda Norman, NERDWALLET

January 21, 2010

https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/insurance/price-optimization/

You expect your car insurance rates to increase after you buy a new vehicle, cause a crash or add a young driver to your policy. But some insurers jack up prices based on seemingly unrelated data — like your magazine subscriptions or what groceries you buy.

Central Coast Winemakers React To New CA Bill Proposing Industry-Run Bottle Recycling Program

By Anikka Abbott, KCOY CBS TV-12 /KEYT ABC TV-7 / KKFX FOX TV-11 Santa Barbara, CA

January 15, 2020

https://keyt.com/lifestyle/food/2020/01/15/central-coast-winemakers-rea…

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - Senate Bill 372, The Beverage Container Recycling Act of 2020, passed the state senate Environmental Quality Committee Wednesday.

Lawmakers Consider Overhaul To California's Bottle And Can Recycling Program

Advocates say CRV isn't working

By Derek Staahl, KGTV ABC-10 NEWS, SAN DIEGO, CA

January 15, 2020

https://www.10news.com/news/lawmakers-consider-overhaul-to-californias-…

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) -- State lawmakers are considering an overhaul to the CRV recycling program on bottles and cans that would make drink-makers responsible for setting up a system to collect the containers they produce.

Watchdog, Legislator Offer Plans To Overhaul California’s Recycling Program

By Kevin Smith, LOS ANGELES DAILY NEWS

January 14, 2020

https://www.dailynews.com/2020/01/14/watchdog-legislator-offer-plans-to…

California lawmakers will consider legislation Wednesday, Jan. 15 to revamp the state’s struggling recycling program for bottles and cans — a program Consumer Watchdog fears may collapse unless significant changes are made.

Thirty-Seven Groups Urge Newsom to Halt New Fossil Fuel Drilling, Close Aliso Canyon

By Dan Bacher, INDY BAY MEDIA

January 9, 2020

https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2020/01/09/18829591.php

Sacramento - On the anniversary of Governor Gavin Newsom’s first year in office on January 7, thirty-seven environmental and public health groups called on the governor to declare an “immediate climate emergency” and institute a moratorium on new oil and gas drilling permits. 

Salaries Skyrocket At California State Insurance Fund Following Years Of Scandal

By Patrick McGreevy, LOS ANGELES TIMES

January 4, 2020

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-01-04/state-compensation-…

SACRAMENTO — A California public agency that offers workers’ compensation insurance coverage to employers has recruited a high-priced team of former executives from the private sector to turn it around after years of scandal and financial problems.

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