Tag: proposition 103

State Farm Wants Higher Premiums, Consumer Watchdog Says ‘Prove It!

Logan B.
State Farm rate increase request

Consumer Watchdog Challenges State Farm’s Emergency Rate Hike Request Consumer advocacy group Consumer Watchdog has raised objections to an emergency interim rate increase requested by State Farm, arguing the insurance giant has not provided sufficient justification for its demands. Calling attention to strong consumer protection laws in California, the organization filed two letters with Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara to challenge the proposed rate hikes. These increases, Consumer Watchdog asserts, could unfairly burden individuals already coping with the rising costs of recovery from natural disasters. What State Farm Is Requesting State…

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Ricardo Lara’s Reforms: Can They Save California’s Property Market from Fire Risks?

Marc
Can They Save California's Property Market from Fire Risks?

Commissioner Lara’s Reforms to Rescue California’s Property Market In a bid to rescue California’s beleaguered property market, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara has announced a series of reforms aimed at addressing the growing crisis in the state’s insurance sector. The situation has reached a critical point, with many insurers either pausing or severely limiting new policies, particularly in high-risk areas prone to wildfires. The Roots of the Crisis The current crisis is partly rooted in the 1988 voter-passed Proposition 103, which mandates that insurance companies obtain approval from the California Department…

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Consumer Watchdog Demands Public Hearing on State Farm’s Proposed 30% Rate Hike

H. Cutner
Consumer Watchdog - Public hearing - California Flag - Insurance rate hike

Consumer Watchdog Digging for Dirt in State Farm’s Backyard Consumer advocacy group Consumer Watchdog has called on California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara to convene a public hearing regarding State Farm’s proposed 30% hike in homeowners’ insurance rates. The group contends that the proposed increase is intended to enhance the insurer’s financial stability rather than address anticipated claims, potentially resulting in a $5.2 billion burden on consumers. Concerns Over Financial Burden Consumer Watchdog’s petition, filed under Proposition 103, mandates a public hearing on rate increases when requested by the public. The…

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California Insurance Commissioner Announces Game-Changing FAIR Plan Reform

Live Insurance News
California insurance commissioner Ricardo Lara- ABC 10 News YouTube

LOS ANGELES — In a significant move to address California’s ongoing insurance crisis,unveiled a breakthrough agreement to modernize the California FAIR Plan Association (FAIR Plan), the state’s “insurer of last resort.” This initiative is a key component of Lara’s Sustainable Insurance Strategy, marking the largest insurance reform since Proposition 103 was passed in 1988. Modernizing the FAIR Plan “Modernizing the FAIR Plan is a crucial step in our strategy to stabilize California’s insurance market,” said Commissioner Lara. “It’s critical for Californians to understand that a growing FAIR Plan contributes to…

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Allstate Changes Down Payment After Insurance Settlement

Logan B.
allstate downpayment reinstated

Allstate, the insurance giant based in Northbrook, Illinois, has made a significant change to its down payment policy for new auto insurance policies. The move comes after a settlement with the California Department of Insurance regarding the insurer’s rate increase application. The Former Down Payment Restriction In July 2022, Allstate began requiring consumers to pay a 50% down payment on new auto policies. This policy represented a substantial upfront cost for consumers, given that the average annual cost for car insurance in California ranges from $1,500 to $1,999, according to…

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Discount initiative for car insurance moves onward to November ballot

H. Cutner

When voters in California head to the ballot in November, they will also face the issue of a discount initiative for auto insurance, called the 2012 Automobile Insurance Discount Act, which was over 99 percent funded by the chairman of Mercury Insurance. The initial sponsorship for the proposal was from the American Agents Alliance, a trade group. This initiative would allow motorists who change their insurers to obtain a discount if they have already had insurance on their vehicles. The proposal had received nearly 505,000 signatures (a random sample of…

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Mercury’s controversial Prop 17 finds its way back to the Californian ballot

Marc

Mercury Insurance’s controversial Proposition 17 has been resurrected and made its way to California’s November ballot. The proposition received funding from George Joseph, the billionaire chairman of the insurance company. The money was enough to bring the proposition back to life after it had been struck down by voters in 2010. Now, voters will have another opportunity to weigh in on the proposition, but there may be no guarantee that their efforts will put an end to the insurer’s plans for good. The proposition aims to make changes to Proposition…

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