Consumer Watchdog
@consumerwatchdog.bsky.social
Our mantra at Consumer Watchdog is simple, but effective.
Expose rip-offs and injustice. Confront the industries and politicians responsible. Change the world.
Expose rip-offs and injustice. Confront the industries and politicians responsible. Change the world.
#GivingTuesday2025
Support our committment to California Fire Survivors by GIVING us your ears and listen to our new podcast.
Smoke & Mirrors:
Investigating Home Insurance Abuses
Listen today on your podcast platform of choice.
Support our work: consumerwatchdog.kindful.com?campaign=114...
Support our committment to California Fire Survivors by GIVING us your ears and listen to our new podcast.
Smoke & Mirrors:
Investigating Home Insurance Abuses
Listen today on your podcast platform of choice.
Support our work: consumerwatchdog.kindful.com?campaign=114...
December 2, 2025 at 10:49 PM
#GivingTuesday2025
Support our committment to California Fire Survivors by GIVING us your ears and listen to our new podcast.
Smoke & Mirrors:
Investigating Home Insurance Abuses
Listen today on your podcast platform of choice.
Support our work: consumerwatchdog.kindful.com?campaign=114...
Support our committment to California Fire Survivors by GIVING us your ears and listen to our new podcast.
Smoke & Mirrors:
Investigating Home Insurance Abuses
Listen today on your podcast platform of choice.
Support our work: consumerwatchdog.kindful.com?campaign=114...
The latest episode of Consumer Watchdog’s podcast series Smoke & Mirrors explores how a backdoor agreement between California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara and major insurance companies led to a wave of dropped policies before 2025’s catastrophic LA fires.
consumerwatchdog.org/insurance/ne...
consumerwatchdog.org/insurance/ne...
November 27, 2025 at 12:19 AM
The latest episode of Consumer Watchdog’s podcast series Smoke & Mirrors explores how a backdoor agreement between California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara and major insurance companies led to a wave of dropped policies before 2025’s catastrophic LA fires.
consumerwatchdog.org/insurance/ne...
consumerwatchdog.org/insurance/ne...
The latest episode of Consumer Watchdog’s podcast series Smoke & Mirrors explores how a backdoor agreement between California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara and major insurance companies led to a wave of dropped policies before 2025’s catastrophic LA fires. consumerwatchdog.org/insurance/ne...
New Episode of Smoke & Mirrors Explores Why Fire Survivors Want California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara Out
A backdoor agreement between California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara and major insurance companies led to a wave of dropped policies before 2025’s catastrophic LA fires.
consumerwatchdog.org
November 25, 2025 at 2:56 AM
The latest episode of Consumer Watchdog’s podcast series Smoke & Mirrors explores how a backdoor agreement between California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara and major insurance companies led to a wave of dropped policies before 2025’s catastrophic LA fires. consumerwatchdog.org/insurance/ne...
The recent filing from Farmers Insurance under Insurance Commissioner Lara’s “Sustainable Insurance Strategy” is the poster child for the loopholes in the plan, allowing the company to hike rates steeply without increasing overall policy levels,
consumerwatchdog.org/insurance/fa...
consumerwatchdog.org/insurance/fa...
November 24, 2025 at 6:35 PM
The recent filing from Farmers Insurance under Insurance Commissioner Lara’s “Sustainable Insurance Strategy” is the poster child for the loopholes in the plan, allowing the company to hike rates steeply without increasing overall policy levels,
consumerwatchdog.org/insurance/fa...
consumerwatchdog.org/insurance/fa...
If Trump can put a stop to oil company CCS projects and the pipelines the technology demands, he’ll be doing California a favor that Newsom, in his current appeasement of the oil industry, just won’t do.
consumerwatchdog.org/energy/trump...
consumerwatchdog.org/energy/trump...
Trump May Do Us A Favor By Blocking One Of Newsom’s Worst “Low Carbon” Solutions
Trump has called climate change “the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world.” His Department of Energy is acting accordingly by canceling lots of awards for Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) a...
consumerwatchdog.org
November 24, 2025 at 4:16 PM
If Trump can put a stop to oil company CCS projects and the pipelines the technology demands, he’ll be doing California a favor that Newsom, in his current appeasement of the oil industry, just won’t do.
consumerwatchdog.org/energy/trump...
consumerwatchdog.org/energy/trump...
Bottom line, the The New York Times reports: “Insurance companies will be able to raise rates and offload billions of dollars in costs and liabilities to ratepayers while taking on few, if any, new customers in high fire-risk areas.”
consumerwatchdog.org/insurance/ne...
consumerwatchdog.org/insurance/ne...
New York Times Investigation Finds Lara’s Plan Incentivized Insurers’ Dumping Of Policyholders Prior To LA Fires, Doubling FAIR Plan Enrollment
A New York Times investigation has found Insurance Commissioner Lara’s 2023 plan to deal with California’s insurance crisis incentivized insurance companies to dump policyholders before the LA wildfir...
consumerwatchdog.org
November 23, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Bottom line, the The New York Times reports: “Insurance companies will be able to raise rates and offload billions of dollars in costs and liabilities to ratepayers while taking on few, if any, new customers in high fire-risk areas.”
consumerwatchdog.org/insurance/ne...
consumerwatchdog.org/insurance/ne...
Bottom line, the @nytimes.com reports: “Insurance companies will be able to raise rates and offload billions of dollars in costs and liabilities to ratepayers while taking on few, if any, new customers in high fire-risk areas.”
consumerwatchdog.org/insurance/ne...
consumerwatchdog.org/insurance/ne...
November 21, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Bottom line, the @nytimes.com reports: “Insurance companies will be able to raise rates and offload billions of dollars in costs and liabilities to ratepayers while taking on few, if any, new customers in high fire-risk areas.”
consumerwatchdog.org/insurance/ne...
consumerwatchdog.org/insurance/ne...
If Trump can put a stop to oil company CCS projects and the pipelines the technology demands, he’ll be doing California a favor that Newsom, in his current appeasement of the oil industry, just won’t do.
consumerwatchdog.org/energy/trump...
consumerwatchdog.org/energy/trump...
Trump May Do Us A Favor By Blocking One Of Newsom’s Worst “Low Carbon” Solutions
Trump has called climate change “the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world.” His Department of Energy is acting accordingly by canceling lots of awards for Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) a...
consumerwatchdog.org
November 20, 2025 at 12:20 AM
If Trump can put a stop to oil company CCS projects and the pipelines the technology demands, he’ll be doing California a favor that Newsom, in his current appeasement of the oil industry, just won’t do.
consumerwatchdog.org/energy/trump...
consumerwatchdog.org/energy/trump...
California's oil production is in terminal decline, and no amount of new permitting will change this regardless of the damage new drilling inflicts on transparency, climate, and public health, the groups said.
consumerwatchdog.org/energy/in-wa...
consumerwatchdog.org/energy/in-wa...
In Wake of Few 3rd Q Drilling Permits, New Data Confirm California’s Oil Production in Irreversible Decline
Los Angeles, CA–Consumer Watchdog and FracTracker Alliance said today that the latest oil and gas data confirms a long-term, irreversible trend. California’s oil production is in terminal decline, and...
consumerwatchdog.org
November 19, 2025 at 1:56 AM
California's oil production is in terminal decline, and no amount of new permitting will change this regardless of the damage new drilling inflicts on transparency, climate, and public health, the groups said.
consumerwatchdog.org/energy/in-wa...
consumerwatchdog.org/energy/in-wa...
Consumer Watchdog Welcomes Los Angeles County Investigation Into State Farm’s Wildfire Claims
“Many wildfire survivors have been waiting for nearly a year for help that hasn’t come,” Carmen Balber, Executive Director at Consumer Watchdog
consumerwatchdog.org/in-the-court...
“Many wildfire survivors have been waiting for nearly a year for help that hasn’t come,” Carmen Balber, Executive Director at Consumer Watchdog
consumerwatchdog.org/in-the-court...
November 14, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Consumer Watchdog Welcomes Los Angeles County Investigation Into State Farm’s Wildfire Claims
“Many wildfire survivors have been waiting for nearly a year for help that hasn’t come,” Carmen Balber, Executive Director at Consumer Watchdog
consumerwatchdog.org/in-the-court...
“Many wildfire survivors have been waiting for nearly a year for help that hasn’t come,” Carmen Balber, Executive Director at Consumer Watchdog
consumerwatchdog.org/in-the-court...
Consumer Watchdog Welcomes Los Angeles County Investigation Into State Farm’s Wildfire Claims
“Many wildfire survivors have been waiting for nearly a year for help that hasn’t come,” Carmen Balber, Executive Director at Consumer Watchdog
consumerwatchdog.org/in-the-court...
“Many wildfire survivors have been waiting for nearly a year for help that hasn’t come,” Carmen Balber, Executive Director at Consumer Watchdog
consumerwatchdog.org/in-the-court...
Consumer Watchdog Welcomes Los Angeles County Investigation Into State Farm’s Wildfire Claims
County Action Follows Mounting Complaints from Fire Survivors Los Angeles, CA — Consumer Watchdog today commended the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and the Los Angeles County Office of Count...
consumerwatchdog.org
November 14, 2025 at 3:29 AM
Consumer Watchdog Welcomes Los Angeles County Investigation Into State Farm’s Wildfire Claims
“Many wildfire survivors have been waiting for nearly a year for help that hasn’t come,” Carmen Balber, Executive Director at Consumer Watchdog
consumerwatchdog.org/in-the-court...
“Many wildfire survivors have been waiting for nearly a year for help that hasn’t come,” Carmen Balber, Executive Director at Consumer Watchdog
consumerwatchdog.org/in-the-court...
Smoke & Mirrors Podcast Episode 3 reveals how hidden algorithms and artificial intelligence used by the nation’s largest home insurance companies are leaving many homeowners underinsured, underpaid, or denied home insurance completely.
Listen today!
consumerwatchdog.org/insurance/ne...
Listen today!
consumerwatchdog.org/insurance/ne...
New Episode of Smoke & Mirrors Reveals How Tech and Algorithms Hurt Policyholders
Hidden algorithms and artificial intelligence used by the nation’s largest home insurance companies are leaving many homeowners underinsured, underpaid, or denied home insurance completely.
consumerwatchdog.org
November 13, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Smoke & Mirrors Podcast Episode 3 reveals how hidden algorithms and artificial intelligence used by the nation’s largest home insurance companies are leaving many homeowners underinsured, underpaid, or denied home insurance completely.
Listen today!
consumerwatchdog.org/insurance/ne...
Listen today!
consumerwatchdog.org/insurance/ne...
Smoke & Mirrors Episode 3 reveals how hidden algorithms & artificial intelligence used by the nation’s largest home insurance companies are leaving many homeowners underinsured, underpaid, or denied home insurance completely.
Listen on your favorite platform!
consumerwatchdog.org/insurance/ne...
Listen on your favorite platform!
consumerwatchdog.org/insurance/ne...
New Episode of Smoke & Mirrors Reveals How Tech and Algorithms Hurt Policyholders
Hidden algorithms and artificial intelligence used by the nation’s largest home insurance companies are leaving many homeowners underinsured, underpaid, or denied home insurance completely.
consumerwatchdog.org
November 12, 2025 at 2:46 AM
Smoke & Mirrors Episode 3 reveals how hidden algorithms & artificial intelligence used by the nation’s largest home insurance companies are leaving many homeowners underinsured, underpaid, or denied home insurance completely.
Listen on your favorite platform!
consumerwatchdog.org/insurance/ne...
Listen on your favorite platform!
consumerwatchdog.org/insurance/ne...
CONSUMER ALERT!
Following a bombshell @nytimes.com investigation, survivors from the Eaton and Palisades fires are calling for the resignation of Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, and asking Governor @gavinnewsom.bsky.social to demand Lara’s resignation.
youtu.be/TDgmPiRcM0g
Following a bombshell @nytimes.com investigation, survivors from the Eaton and Palisades fires are calling for the resignation of Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, and asking Governor @gavinnewsom.bsky.social to demand Lara’s resignation.
youtu.be/TDgmPiRcM0g
Consumer Alert: Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara Should Resign
YouTube video by ConsumerWatchdog
youtu.be
November 11, 2025 at 5:47 AM
CONSUMER ALERT!
Following a bombshell @nytimes.com investigation, survivors from the Eaton and Palisades fires are calling for the resignation of Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, and asking Governor @gavinnewsom.bsky.social to demand Lara’s resignation.
youtu.be/TDgmPiRcM0g
Following a bombshell @nytimes.com investigation, survivors from the Eaton and Palisades fires are calling for the resignation of Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, and asking Governor @gavinnewsom.bsky.social to demand Lara’s resignation.
youtu.be/TDgmPiRcM0g
CA faces 2 insurance crises
🔥Families can no longer buy or renew coverage
🔥If they have coverage they can’t access the benefits they’ve already paid for
Both trace back to Commissioner Lara’s failure to fulfill his duties.
The responsibility sits squarely on @governor.ca.gov's desk.
lararesign.org
🔥Families can no longer buy or renew coverage
🔥If they have coverage they can’t access the benefits they’ve already paid for
Both trace back to Commissioner Lara’s failure to fulfill his duties.
The responsibility sits squarely on @governor.ca.gov's desk.
lararesign.org
When Insurance Fails, Recovery Fails | L.A. Fire Survivors Call for Ricardo Lara’s Resignation — Eaton Fire Survivors Network
70% of insured L.A. fire survivors face delays and denials. The New York Times front page reports our call for California Governor Newsom to replace Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara and rebuild a f...
lararesign.org
November 11, 2025 at 4:23 AM
CA faces 2 insurance crises
🔥Families can no longer buy or renew coverage
🔥If they have coverage they can’t access the benefits they’ve already paid for
Both trace back to Commissioner Lara’s failure to fulfill his duties.
The responsibility sits squarely on @governor.ca.gov's desk.
lararesign.org
🔥Families can no longer buy or renew coverage
🔥If they have coverage they can’t access the benefits they’ve already paid for
Both trace back to Commissioner Lara’s failure to fulfill his duties.
The responsibility sits squarely on @governor.ca.gov's desk.
lararesign.org
The Day Los Angeles Stood Up to Insurer Misconduct!
Survivors & allies from across Los Angeles came together to call on Governor @gavinnewsom.bsky.social to replace Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara & restore fairness to California’s insurance system.
Watch Press Conference
youtu.be/3s7kMHpo7UM
Survivors & allies from across Los Angeles came together to call on Governor @gavinnewsom.bsky.social to replace Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara & restore fairness to California’s insurance system.
Watch Press Conference
youtu.be/3s7kMHpo7UM
Wildfire Survivors Call on Insurance Commissioner Lara to Resign
YouTube video by ConsumerWatchdog
youtu.be
November 9, 2025 at 8:36 PM
The Day Los Angeles Stood Up to Insurer Misconduct!
Survivors & allies from across Los Angeles came together to call on Governor @gavinnewsom.bsky.social to replace Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara & restore fairness to California’s insurance system.
Watch Press Conference
youtu.be/3s7kMHpo7UM
Survivors & allies from across Los Angeles came together to call on Governor @gavinnewsom.bsky.social to replace Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara & restore fairness to California’s insurance system.
Watch Press Conference
youtu.be/3s7kMHpo7UM
@kpfa.org continues their drumbeat coverage of California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, his faithful capitulation to the home insurance industry and the effect it is having on California fire survivors.
kpfa.org/episode/bad-...
kpfa.org/episode/bad-...
Bad Food, No Home Insurance | KPFA
USRTK's S. Malkan on bad food push by corporations; Consumer Watchdog's Carmen Balber on elemenation of CA home insurance.
kpfa.org
November 8, 2025 at 5:03 PM
@kpfa.org continues their drumbeat coverage of California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, his faithful capitulation to the home insurance industry and the effect it is having on California fire survivors.
kpfa.org/episode/bad-...
kpfa.org/episode/bad-...
Fire Victims Want Insurance Commissioner @icricardolara To Resign!
via @kcranews.bsky.social
Add your name the petition today: lararesign.org
via @kcranews.bsky.social
Add your name the petition today: lararesign.org
November 8, 2025 at 3:17 AM
Fire Victims Want Insurance Commissioner @icricardolara To Resign!
via @kcranews.bsky.social
Add your name the petition today: lararesign.org
via @kcranews.bsky.social
Add your name the petition today: lararesign.org
"California Fire Victims Urge State to Hold Insurers Accountable" Via @nytimes.com
Join survivors and allies calling on Governor @gavinnewsom.bsky.social to install new leadership. lararesign.org
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/u...
Join survivors and allies calling on Governor @gavinnewsom.bsky.social to install new leadership. lararesign.org
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/u...
November 7, 2025 at 5:39 PM
"California Fire Victims Urge State to Hold Insurers Accountable" Via @nytimes.com
Join survivors and allies calling on Governor @gavinnewsom.bsky.social to install new leadership. lararesign.org
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/u...
Join survivors and allies calling on Governor @gavinnewsom.bsky.social to install new leadership. lararesign.org
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/u...
The Eaton Fire Survivors Network discusses the recent New York Times article about California's insurance loopholes and Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara. #eatonfire #insurance
www.youtube.com/live/2Kf4mqE...
www.youtube.com/live/2Kf4mqE...
Eaton Fire Survivors Network Press Conference 10/06/25
YouTube video by ConsumerWatchdog
www.youtube.com
November 6, 2025 at 6:58 PM
The Eaton Fire Survivors Network discusses the recent New York Times article about California's insurance loopholes and Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara. #eatonfire #insurance
www.youtube.com/live/2Kf4mqE...
www.youtube.com/live/2Kf4mqE...
Press Conference: California Needs New Insurance Leadership
Today!! 11/6 | 9:30-11 AM | Altadena
70% of insured L.A. survivors face delays and denials impeding recovery. Join survivors and allies in calling for new leadership at the CA Department of Insurance.
www.efsurvivors.net
Today!! 11/6 | 9:30-11 AM | Altadena
70% of insured L.A. survivors face delays and denials impeding recovery. Join survivors and allies in calling for new leadership at the CA Department of Insurance.
www.efsurvivors.net
November 6, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Press Conference: California Needs New Insurance Leadership
Today!! 11/6 | 9:30-11 AM | Altadena
70% of insured L.A. survivors face delays and denials impeding recovery. Join survivors and allies in calling for new leadership at the CA Department of Insurance.
www.efsurvivors.net
Today!! 11/6 | 9:30-11 AM | Altadena
70% of insured L.A. survivors face delays and denials impeding recovery. Join survivors and allies in calling for new leadership at the CA Department of Insurance.
www.efsurvivors.net
Lara's deal set up wildfire survivors to be dumped by their insurers prior to the fires.
CA homeowner insurance rates could rise 40% & homeowners in high risk wildfire areas will continue to lose coverage if IC Ricardo Lara remains in office another year.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/01/u...
CA homeowner insurance rates could rise 40% & homeowners in high risk wildfire areas will continue to lose coverage if IC Ricardo Lara remains in office another year.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/01/u...
California Promised Insurance Relief, But Delivered Loopholes
www.nytimes.com
November 4, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Lara's deal set up wildfire survivors to be dumped by their insurers prior to the fires.
CA homeowner insurance rates could rise 40% & homeowners in high risk wildfire areas will continue to lose coverage if IC Ricardo Lara remains in office another year.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/01/u...
CA homeowner insurance rates could rise 40% & homeowners in high risk wildfire areas will continue to lose coverage if IC Ricardo Lara remains in office another year.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/01/u...
“This isn’t the balanced deal the Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara sold to Californians. It’s a giant giveaway to insurers.” Jamie Court, president of Consumer Watchdog
Must Read- "California Promised Insurance Relief, But Delivered Loopholes" via @nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/01/u...
Must Read- "California Promised Insurance Relief, But Delivered Loopholes" via @nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/01/u...
California Promised Insurance Relief, But Delivered Loopholes
www.nytimes.com
November 3, 2025 at 5:56 PM
“This isn’t the balanced deal the Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara sold to Californians. It’s a giant giveaway to insurers.” Jamie Court, president of Consumer Watchdog
Must Read- "California Promised Insurance Relief, But Delivered Loopholes" via @nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/01/u...
Must Read- "California Promised Insurance Relief, But Delivered Loopholes" via @nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/01/u...
CA homeowner insurance rates could rise 40% & homeowners in high risk wildfire areas will continue to lose coverage if Ins Commissioner Ricardo Lara remains in office another year.
Lara's deal set up wildfire survivors to be dumped by their insurers prior to the fires
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/01/u...
Lara's deal set up wildfire survivors to be dumped by their insurers prior to the fires
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/01/u...
November 1, 2025 at 5:35 PM
CA homeowner insurance rates could rise 40% & homeowners in high risk wildfire areas will continue to lose coverage if Ins Commissioner Ricardo Lara remains in office another year.
Lara's deal set up wildfire survivors to be dumped by their insurers prior to the fires
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/01/u...
Lara's deal set up wildfire survivors to be dumped by their insurers prior to the fires
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/01/u...
JUST RELEASED! Episode 2: The Underworld of Fire Insurance Subcontractors
In this episode we’ll pull the curtain back on the testing and cleaning companies that insurance companies send in after a wildfire strikes and a home is left standing.
consumerwatchdog.org/smokeandmirr...
In this episode we’ll pull the curtain back on the testing and cleaning companies that insurance companies send in after a wildfire strikes and a home is left standing.
consumerwatchdog.org/smokeandmirr...
November 1, 2025 at 4:13 PM
JUST RELEASED! Episode 2: The Underworld of Fire Insurance Subcontractors
In this episode we’ll pull the curtain back on the testing and cleaning companies that insurance companies send in after a wildfire strikes and a home is left standing.
consumerwatchdog.org/smokeandmirr...
In this episode we’ll pull the curtain back on the testing and cleaning companies that insurance companies send in after a wildfire strikes and a home is left standing.
consumerwatchdog.org/smokeandmirr...