Court Issues Order on Consumer Watchdog’s Motion to Compel Commissioner Ricardo Lara to Respond to Discovery Requests

By: Allison Plette Consumer Watchdog v. Ricardo Lara, Case No. 20STCP00664 (Super. Ct. Los Angeles County). On May 12, 2021, the court issued an order granting in part and denying in part Petitioner Consumer Watchdog’s motion to compel specific documents Continue reading

DOI Holds Second Workshop Regarding Proposed Regulations to Expand Auto Insurance Group Discounts to Low-Income Drivers

By Hannah Ohman On March 23, 2021, the California Department of Insurance (DOI) held a second prenotice public workshop regarding contemplated amendments to expand auto insurance group discounts to lower-income drivers. DOI is responsible for the review and approval of Continue reading

California Department of Insurance Cracks Down on Inhumane Conditions in Private Prisons

By: Jennifer Wilczynski On February 8, 2021, Senator Maria Elena Durazo (D-Los Angeles) introduced SB 334 (Durazo), the Private Detention Accountability Act. Sponsored by Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara and the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, SB 334 would require all Continue reading

Department of Insurance Notifies Insurance Companies of Obligation to Abide by New Mental Health and Substance Abuse Law

By Hannah Ohman On December 10, 2020, Department of Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara released a notice to all health insurance companies informing them of their responsibility to follow a new mental health and substance abuse parity law. The bill requires Continue reading

California Department of Insurance Leaving Virus Exclusion Questions up to the Courts

By: Jennifer Wilczynski At the start of 2021, there were over 1,500 property insurance claims across the country due to COVID-19 business interruptions. These cases largely address interruptions caused by local and state ordinances, which forced the closure of many Continue reading

Federal Judge Upholds Legality of Drug Transparency Law Requiring Manufacturers to Report Drug Price Increases to Department of Insurance

By Hannah Ohman On January 4, 2021, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California filed an order upholding the legality of a 2017 California drug price transparency law in Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers of America (“PhRMA”) Continue reading

California Department of Insurance Proposes Regulation to Increase Transparency of Dental Benefits Coverage

By: Jennifer Wilczynski On January 19, 2021, the California Department of Insurance (DOI) filed a request for adoption of emergency regulations regarding the Summary of Dental Benefits and Coverage Disclosure Matrix (SDBC) with the Office of Administrative Law (OAL). Prior Continue reading

Department of Insurance Enforces Regulations Over Bail Bonds as Discussions of Reform Move Forward

By Hannah Ohman On July 15, 2020, the Department of Insurance (DOI) issued a press release stating that an investigation by the Department of an unlicensed immigration bond company led to a $5.5 million settlement. After an investigation and subsequent Continue reading

Heating Up: How the Department of Insurance is Facing Climate Change and Insurance Costs

By Jennifer Wilczynski On May 20, 2020, the Department of Insurance (DOI) Climate Insurance Working Group issued draft recommendations regarding state policies that are directly related to major climate change issues, including extreme heat, flood and sea levels rising, and Continue reading

California Department of Insurance Takes Steps to Protect the Rights of the LGBTQ+ Community

By Jennifer Wilczynski On June 12, 2020, California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara issued a statement disapproving the Trump Administration’s reversal of non-discrimination protections under section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act. Without heeding the warning and dissatisfaction from 18 state insurance Continue reading