Consumer Watchdog

We stand up against dishonest corporations and corrupt politicians, advocating for the rights of ordinary Americans.

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San Francisco Chronicle - ‘Buckle up, it’s coming’: California insurers are likely to join State Farm in raising rates

1 week ago | consumerwatchdog.org | Megan Munce

By Megan Fan Munce, SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLEhttps://www.sfchronicle.com/california/article/home-insurance-rates-20335120.php#State Farm’s rates for homeowners are set to rise 17% starting next month, and potentially even more in 2026. Are other insurers going to raise rates too? The short answer is almost certainly yes — but not immediately. Prices already have been rising rapidly. Over the past year, nearly every major insurer has implemented a double-digit rate increase — and more is expected.
San Francisco Chronicle - State Farm eyes higher rate after emergency hike

2 weeks ago | consumerwatchdog.org | Megan Munce

By Megan Fan Munce, SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLEhttps://www.sfchronicle.com/california/article/state-farm-insurance-rates-20335755.phpA week after securing approval to raise home insurance rates by an average of 17%, State Farm General revealed plans to ask regulators for an additional 11% increase, as well as considerably higher rates for condo owners and renters.
Enterprise Record - Ethical issue dogs ‘$8 per gallon’ gasoline study | California Focus

2 weeks ago | consumerwatchdog.org | Thomas D. Elias |SoCal Gas |politics. Non-partisan

By Thomas Elias, ENTERPRISE RECORDAcademics have known for many years the potential for conflicts of interest when they conduct studies or write reports on products or companies for which they have consulted. That’s why they almost always disclose conflicts.
New York Times - The Home Insurance Crisis Is Getting Even More Expensive

3 weeks ago | consumerwatchdog.org | David Gelles

By David Gelles, NEW YORK TIMESIn California, a home insurance rate increase by State Farm is yet another sign of growing crisis driven by climate change. Just months after fires devastated parts of Los Angeles, one of the leading home insurers in California, State Farm, is temporarily raising rates 17 percent. The sharp jump, after a 20 percent rate increase last year, is sure to strain family finances in what is already one of the nation’s most expensive states for home insurance.
Los Angeles Times - Insurance commissioner grants State Farm 17% emergency rate hike after L.A. fires

3 weeks ago | consumerwatchdog.org | Laurence Darmiento

By Laurence Darmiento, LOS ANGELES TIMEShttps://www.latimes.com/business/story/2025-05-13/administrative-law-judge-approves-denies-revises-state-farms-request-for-a-17-emergency-rate-hike-la-wildfiresInsurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara adopted an administrative law judge’s ruling Tuesday and granted State Farm General an emergency 17% hike in its homeowner rates.
Surveillance Pricing Bill Moves Forward

3 weeks ago | consumerwatchdog.org | Justin Kloczko

Los Angeles, CA—California’s bill regulating surveillance pricing, AB 446 (Ward), moves to the Senate after passing a State Assembly floor vote this afternoon, 44-16. The bill is now expected to be heard by the Senate Judiciary Committee. “Companies are using personal data against us to charge people different prices for the same exact product,” said Justin Kloczko, tech and privacy advocate at Consumer Watchdog. “They want to know how bad you want that hat and charge you as much as possible.
Minimal New Oil Well Permits in Q1 2025, But Kern County and CO₂ Pipeline Bills Threaten Climate Progress, Say Advocacy Groups

1 month ago | consumerwatchdog.org | Liza Tucker

Los Angeles, CA — State oil and gas regulators approved just three new drilling permits in the first quarter of 2025 compared to zero approvals the same quarter last year, according to a new analysis by Consumer Watchdog and FracTracker Alliance. Overall, single digit approvals for new wells continue a trend of dramatic permit approval drops.
NEWS RELEASE: Surveillance Pricing Bill Moves Forward

1 month ago | consumerwatchdog.org | Justin Kloczko

Los Angeles, CA—California’s landmark bill regulating surveillance pricing, AB 446 (Ward), advanced out of the Assembly Committee on Judiciary today by a vote of 8 to 3. “Companies are using our data against us in ways that we fully don’t understand,” said Justin Kloczko, tech and privacy advocate at Consumer Watchdog.
CA Privacy Agency Goes DOGE on Data Regulations for AI and Algorithms

1 month ago | consumerwatchdog.org | Justin Kloczko

After enormous pushback from large companies, the governor and from within, California’s top privacy agency today approved a package of gutted regulations surrounding personal information and automated decisions deployed by businesses. Perhaps most significantly, the definition of what constitutes an automated decision has been narrowed to systems that “substantially facilitate” a decision.
The Mercury News - Is Gavin Newsom changing his tune with the oil industry?

1 month ago | consumerwatchdog.org | Rob Nikolewski |SoCal Gas

By Rob Nikolewski, MERCURY NEWS Gov. Gavin Newsom seems to be taking a friendlier tone regarding the petroleum industry, as two refineries recently announced they would close down operations in California. Earlier this week, Newsom sent a letter to California Energy Commission vice chair Siva Gunda, directing Gunda to “redouble the State’s efforts to work closely with refiners” to help ensure Californians have access to transportation fuels such as gasoline in the short and long term.