consumer protection News

Illinois Gets $1M for Consumer Insurance Help

Illinois has received a $1 million federal grant to improve how it helps consumers who have complaints about insurance industry practices. Illinois Department of Insurance Director Andrew Boron announced the award on Aug. 30. The funding comes through the Affordable …

Got a Gripe? Massachusetts Consumers Had Many in 2011

Home improvement contractors, used cars, insurance claims and foreclosure scams were among the top consumer complaints lodged by Massachusetts residents in 2011. Several state and federal agencies gathered Tuesday to release their lists of the top five consumer gripes of …

Connecticut Unveils ‘Insurance Checkup’ Campaign for Consumers

Consumers know what their premium costs every month, but not everyone really knows exactly what their homeowner or renter policy covers. To help consumers be well prepared before they have to make a claim, Connecticut Insurance Commissioner Thomas Leonardi unveiled …

Banks Having to Defend Credit Card Insurance

When Mariya Kruseck broke her tailbone snowboarding and lost her part-time job five years ago, the then 19-year-old college student was relieved she had bought payment protection to go with her credit card. But she said the product failed to …

McDonald’s Not Smiling Over Happy Meals Lawsuit

A lawsuit seeking to stop McDonald’s Corp. from offering toys with Happy Meals must be dismissed because parents can always choose not to buy the meals for their children, the hamburger giant said in a court filing late Monday. The …

Financial Consultant Bjelobaba Analyzes Changing UK Regulations

The UK’s Conservative government announced, even before it was elected, that it planned to reform the country’s financial regulatory system – for banks, investment providers and the insurance industry. On February 11, 2011 it released the proposals it has been …

New Product Safety Database Under Scrutiny

It’s something Nikki Johns wishes had been around before her infant son died in a drop-side crib: a centralized federal database of people’s safety complaints about thousands of products, from baby gear to household appliances and more. “If I had …

North Dakota Insurance Department Recovers $5.5M for Consumers in 2010

North Dakota Insurance Commissioner Adam Hamm reported that the North Dakota Insurance Department helped recover or save more than $5.5 million for North Dakota citizens in 2010. This number represents money recovered on behalf of North Dakotans through the insurance …

Insurance Fraud Starts with Unexpected Offer of Repair Services

Each year consumers pay more for their auto and homeowners insurance policies as a direct result of fraud. Unnecessary auto glass repairs, exorbitant towing charges, needless home repairs, total roof replacements, sinkhole damage, solicitation of accident victims — these and …