California Department of Insurance News

WCIRB Raises Advisory Pure Premium 3.4%

The Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau’s Governing Committee voted unanimously on Wednesday to authorize the WCIRB to file an advisory pure premium rate for 2014 of $2.62 per $100 of payroll, 3.4 percent above the industry average filed pure premium …

California Department of Insurance Settles with Zurich over Workers’ Comp

The California Department of Insurance announced a settlement with Zurich American Insurance Co. and Zurich American Insurance Co. of Illinois over what CDI alleged was improper use of workers’ compensation insurance agreements. Zurich’s agreements forced California employers to arbitrate commercial …

Five Arrested In California Million-Dollar Mobile Phone Insurance Scam

Five Northern California residents were arrested by California Department of Insurance fraud investigators and booked into the Sacramento County jail and charged with multiple felony counts related to alleged insurance fraud totaling nearly $1 million, according to CDI. Investigators allege …

Northern California Business Owner Sentenced For Premium Fraud

A Northern California business owner has been sentenced for workers’ compensation insurance premium fraud and pay over $2 million in restitution to insurers, the California Department of Insurance announced on Wednesday. Teresa Reif, 34, of Redwood City, Calif., who originally …

California Commissioner Fingers Insurers for Iran Investments

California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones on Wednesday singled out eight insurers licensed to do business in the state that continue to have investments tied to Iran’s energy, military and nuclear sectors. During a press conference in Los Angeles Jones called …

California Department of Insurance: $20M Rate Reduction for Homeowners

Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones on Thursday announced today a 35 percent rate reduction for lender-placed homeowner’s insurance coverage offered by QBE Insurance Corp. The rate reduction will result in an estimated $19.4 million savings to QBE policyholders, with an average …

Carriers ‘Uncertain’ About California Workers’ Comp Reform

Editor’s Note: This is the fourth in a series of articles to look at California’s workers’ compensation reform law, which takes effect Jan. 1, 2013. Insurance carriers, along with the many stakeholders who are watching and waiting as California’s workers’ …

Profile: Workers’ Comp Fraud Expert Takes Old School Approach

When a Southern California family was convicted of workers’ compensation insurance premium fraud, it wasn’t due to sophisticated software, a supercomputer or even high-tech surveillance techniques. It was the result of good old-fashioned detective work, according to Maryann Lazernik, who …

California Department Insurance: Streamlined Licensing

The California Department of Insurance announced a new process for professionals submitting insurance agent, broker, adjuster and bail agent license applications to CDI. The new process “enhances customer service and increases the operational efficiency of handling licensing applications statewide,” according …

Social Media Friends Nabbed In Northern California Staged Auto Insurance Fraud

Susan Lee, 24, Angelique Jones, 20, and Angela Medeiros, 40, all of Sacramento, Calif. have been arrested on three felony counts each of insurance fraud. The bail for the three ranges from $20,000 to $50,000. A fourth suspect, Krystelmaree Marquez, …