California Department of Insurance News

California High Court Affirms Consumer Rights to Dispute Insurance Rates

A California Supreme Court decision has reaffirmed California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara’s assertion that consumers have a right to dispute insurance rates that have not been properly filed and approved. The court’s decision involved title insurance, but has implications for …

Video Surveillance Leads to Workers’ Comp Fraud Charges Against California Woman

Veronica Catalina Cortes-Ambrosio, 53, of Madera, Calif., was charged on two felony counts of insurance fraud after allegedly lying about physical limitations from an injury at work in an attempt to receive undeserved workers’ compensation benefits. An investigation by the …

Former California Firefighter Faces Workers’ Comp Fraud Charges

Daniel Clampitt, 41, of Denair, Calif., was arraigned on four felony counts including insurance fraud, grand theft and perjury for allegedly claiming to be too injured to work and simultaneously collecting $94,788 in workers’ compensation benefits while also working for …

California Nutrition Assistant Arraigned for Workers’ Comp Fraud

Kia Lor, 54, of Merced, Calif., was arraigned on four counts of insurance fraud after an investigation by the California Department of Insurance found that she allegedly lied about the extent of prior injuries in an attempt to receive nearly …

California Agriculture Company Owner, Daughter Sentenced in $2.5M Workers’ Comp Scheme

Felipe Saurez Barocio, 63, of Atwater, Calif., owner of Agriculture Services Inc., and his daughter, Angelita Barocio-Negrete, 34, of Merced, were sentenced to 10 years after pleading no contest to six felony counts of insurance fraud each. Both serve six …

California Woman Sentenced in $135K Staged Collision Ring

Zandra Monterrozo, 44, of Corona, Calif., pleaded guilty and was sentenced for her involvement in an organized ring that intentionally staged vehicle collisions to collect more than $135,000 in insurance payouts. Eleven other suspects have been either charged or prosecuted. …

California School Employee Arraigned for Workers’ Comp Fraud After Virus Diagnosis

Stephanie Medrano, 33, of West Covina, Calif., was arraigned on Tuesday on multiple counts of grand theft and insurance fraud after allegedly making misrepresentations following a COVID-19 diagnosis in an attempt to collect more than $33,000 in undeserved workers’ compensation …

California Commissioner Wants More Group Discounts for Lower-Income Drivers

California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara on Thursday released revised draft regulations to expand drivers’ access to group discounts. The revised draft regulations will extend discounts to previously underrepresented drivers in the first major reform of group discounts since voters approved …

California Commissioner Names Morales Diversity Task Force Leader

California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara has named Mark Morales to lead the California Department of Insurance’s Diversity Task Force, the first LGBTQ+ person named to the post. Morales replaces Sal Peinado, Jr. He will lead the first quarterly meeting of …

California Mother, Son Arrested for Fraud Involving Aston Martin

Ahmad Haris Tajyar, 45, and his mother, Malalay Tajyar, 70, both of Porter Ranch, Calif., were arrested on one felony count of insurance fraud each after allegedly filing a false auto insurance claim and making fraudulent statements in order to …