CONSUMER WATCHDOG

IN 2023, CWD ISSUED MORE THAN 100 NEWS RELEASES AND GENERATED OVER 2000 NEWS STORIES ON THESE TOPICS THAT APPEARED ON STATE AND NATIONAL TELEVISION AND RADIO PROGRAMS, AND IN PRINT AND ONLINE NEWS OUTLETS.LITIGATION -- CONSUMER WATCHDOG (CWD) WORKS TO PROTECT CONSUMERS IN THE COURTS AND BEFORE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCIES. CWD LITIGATED TO PROTECT CONSUMER ACCESS TO THE HEALTH CARE AND INSURANCE BENEFITS THEY ARE PROMISED, PREVENT INSURANCE COMPANIES FROM VIOLATING CONSUMER PROTECTION LAWS, ENSURE TRANSPARENCY IN GOVERNMENT, AND RETURN ILLEGAL INSURANCE OVERCHARGES. IN 2023, CWD'S INTERVENTIONS AT THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE TO PREVENT EXCESSIVE INSURANCE RATE INCREASES BY AUTO AND HOME INSURANCE COMPANIES SAVED CONSUMERS $2 BILLION. CWD ALSO CHALLENGED HOME INSURANCE COMPANIES' FAILURE TO GIVE HOMEOWNERS RATE RELIEF FOR TAKING STEPS TO PROTECT THEIR HOMES FROM WILDFIRE, AND AUTO INSURANCE COMPANY PRACTICES MAKING IT HARDER FOR GOOD DRIVERS TO OBTAIN COVERAGE. CWD TESTIFIED AT MULTIPLE WORKSHOPS REGARDING THE LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY, RELIABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY IN THE PRIVATE BLACK BOX CATASTROPHE MODELS INSURANCE COMPANIES SEEK TO USE TO RAISE RATES. CWD CONTINUED LITIGATING SUITS AGAINST AUTO INSURANCE COMPANIES FOR DISCRIMINATING AGAINST CERTAIN MEMBERS OF THE MILITARY AND FOR OVERCHARGING POLICYHOLDERS DURING THE PANDEMIC. CWD CONTINUED LITIGATING A CASE REPRESENTING PLAINTIFFS LIVING WITH HIV IN A SUIT AGAINST CVS FOR UNLAWFULLY DISCLOSING HIV STATUS AND PUTTING INDIVIDUALS AT RISK OF SUCH A DISCLOSURE, AS WELL AS PROVIDING THEM A LOWER TIER OF SERVICE.

ENERGY REFORM -- CONSUMER WATCHDOG (CWD) INVESTIGATES THE REGULATION OF COMPANIES GENERATING FOSSIL FUELS AND POLLUTION, ADVOCATES TO IMPROVE OVERSIGHT OF THE OIL, GAS AND UTILITY INDUSTRIES, AND FIGHTS FOR RELIABLE, AFFORDABLE, AND CLEAN ENERGY. IN 2023, CWD EDUCATED THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE NEED TO LIMIT FOSSIL FUEL SUPPLIES IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE, INCLUDING CURBING OIL DRILLING. CWD CONDUCTED EXTENSIVE RESEARCH SHOWING OIL REFINERS' PROFITS ARE CONSISTENTLY HIGHER IN CALIFORNIA THAN ACROSS THE NATION AND SUPPORTED SUCCESSFUL LEGISLATION CREATING NEW STATE OVERSIGHT OF GAS PRICES AND THE POWER TO IMPOSE A PRICE-GOUGING PENALTY ON REFINERS. CWD PUBLISHED QUARTERLY UPDATES TO ITS ONLINE MAP DOCUMENTING THE EXTENT OF OIL AND GAS WELL PERMITTING IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, MAINTAINING PUBLIC PRESSURE FOR AN END TO NEW EXTRACTION PERMITS AND A SAFETY BUFFER BETWEEN HOMES AND WELLS. CWD BACKED POLLUTER PAYS LEGISLATION TO HOLD OIL COMPANIES RESPONSIBLE FOR HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL HARMS.