Joint Sting Operation in Monterey County Uncovers Alleged Unlicensed Contractors

By Erol Kilic On December 6, 2023, the Contractors State Licensing Board (CSLB) announced a joint operation with the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office and the California Department of Insurance (CDI) that successfully identified nine unlicensed contractors in a Monterey Continue reading

DOI Supports AB 970: Establishing a Climate and Sustainability Insurance and Risk Reduction Program

By Shiloh Wallack AB 970 (Rivas), introduced on February 14, 2023, by Assemblymember Luz Rivas, and supported by the Department of Insurance (DOI), would add and repeal Article 2.5 (commencing with section 12945) of Chapter 2 of Division 3 of Continue reading

Department of Insurance Co-Hosts Forum on Federal Resources Available to Californians Recovering from Natural Disasters

By Shiloh Wallack On February 6, 2023, Ricardo Lara, Commissioner of the California Department of Insurance (DOI), issued a press release regarding a public forum to discuss the federal resources available to those impacted by natural disasters and any plans Continue reading

Safeco Insurance Company Faces Class-Action Lawsuit over Automobile Insurance Rates During COVID-19 Pandemic

By Jackson Sullivan On November 23, 2021, in Jimmy Monge v. Safeco Insurance Company of America et al., Case No. 2:21-cv-09175-MWF-AFM (C.D. Cal.)., plaintiffs filed a class action complaint in the Central District of California on behalf of the putative Continue reading

California Department of Insurance Sponsors AB 2238 (Rivas) Establish Heat Wave Ranking System in California

By Julia Zeigler AB 2238 (Rivas), as amended March 23, 2022, would add Part 5.5 (commencing with section 71410) to Division 34 of the Public Resources Code to establish a publicly accessible ranking system for heat waves, with clear categories Continue reading

Proposed Bill Would Permit California Department of Insurance to Order Restitution to Victims of Unlicensed Insurance Sellers

By Allison Plette SB 1040 (Rubio), as introduced February 15, 2022, would amend sections 12928.6 and 12976 of, and add section 12928.7 to, the Insurance Code to authorize the Insurance Commissioner to order restitution to consumers for illegal actions by Continue reading

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