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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
“For too long, Californians have been hit with dishonest charges being tacked on to seemingly everything,” said Sen. Dodd. “It is time we put the consumer first and create a level playing field for those businesses that advertise the real price, up front. “Thank you to Assembly members for voting today to end junk fees that boost corporate profits at the expense of those who can least afford it.”
In his State of the Union address, President Joe Biden called out junk fees applied to an array of transactions involving banks, ticket vendors, airlines and online sellers.
By one estimate, 85% of Americans have paid hidden fees totaling $28 billion per year.
California, which has the fifth largest economy in the world and the nation’s largest population, pays an outsized share.
The president proposed federal action by numerous federal agencies to address issues within their subject matter and regulatory authority.
At the state level, senators Dodd and Skinner, along with Attorney General Bonta, introduced Senate Bill 478, which would expand on the White House proposal and put the Golden State at the forefront of banning these secretive fees, regardless of industry sector.
The bill would expressly prohibit the pervasive and deceptive practice of advertising a certain price and then adding on mandatory charges that are controlled by the business.
Companies that fail to comply with the new rules could be subject to steep financial penalties.
SB 478, which has broad support from consumer groups, passed the Assembly with strong support. It heads next to Gov. Gavin Newsom following a Senate concurrence vote.
“Today’s vote on SB 478 is a win for Californians,” said Bonta. “I am sponsoring this bill to stop hidden fees because the price consumers see should be the price consumers pay. With SB 478 clearing the Assembly, that common-sense principle is one step closer to being made abundantly clear. I am grateful to the authors of the legislation, senators Dodd and Skinner, for being in this fight with us: Together, we are fighting for consumers and a fair and transparent marketplace.”
“Under SB 478, Californians will know up front how much they’re being asked to pay and will no longer be surprised by hidden junk fees when buying tickets to a concert or sporting event or booking a vacation or hotel,” said Sen. Skinner.
Dodd represents the Third Senate District, which includes all or portions of Napa, Solano, Yolo, Sonoma, Contra Costa and Sacramento counties.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
From wildfires to earthquakes and floods, the Golden State's diverse challenges demand proactive preparation.
The California Department of Insurance is empowering individuals and organizations with the tools they need to safeguard their assets and livelihoods, promoting resilience and securing affordable insurance options.
"We are using every resource at our disposal to shield Californians from disaster risks,” declared Commissioner Lara. "By enhancing the safety of homes and businesses, we can save lives, mitigate losses, and help make insurance more available and affordable for all.”
As the state grapples with persistently high temperatures this summer, the risk of wildfires remains a pressing concern. Commissioner Lara's first-in-the-nation Safer from Wildfires regulations offer a multi-tiered strategy for bolstering wildfire resilience.
The initiative comprises 10 comprehensive actions distributed across three layers of protection: structural measures, immediate vicinity safeguards, and community-wide strategies.
Here are three high-impact, cost-effective steps that can be taken immediately:
• Keep embers out: Installing 1/16 to 1/8 inch noncombustible, corrosion-resistant metal mesh screens over attic vents can keep wind-blown embers out of your house.
• Clear the first 5 feet: Removing greenery and replacing wood chips with stone or decomposed granite 5 feet around your home prevents fire from getting a foot in the door.
• Be safer together: With Firewise USA, communities as small as 8 dwelling units or as big as 2,500 can create an action plan and start being safer together. Firewise USA is a nationally recognized program with proven results, sponsored by the National Fire Prevention Association.
The more you do, the more you can protect and possibly save on insurance coverage. The Department is continuing its review of insurance company discounts to make them available as soon as possible – and recently approved insurance discounts for the FAIR Plan. If you are a FAIR Plan policyholder, contact your agent or broker to learn how to qualify for Safer from Wildfires.
These proactive measures not only enhance protection but may also lead to substantial insurance coverage savings.
The Department is also actively expediting the availability of insurance company discounts and has recently granted insurance discounts for FAIR Plan policyholders. If you're a FAIR Plan policyholder, connect with your agent or broker to learn how to qualify for the Safer from Wildfires initiative.
Earthquake readiness is another pivotal aspect of Californians' preparedness. Traditional insurance policies seldom cover earthquake damages, and recent data analysis by the Department of Insurance reveals that nearly 90 percent of homeowners and renters lack earthquake insurance.
It's vital to assess the necessity of earthquake coverage, particularly for those residing in seismic zones. Individuals with older, multi-story homes, or dwellings on soft soil or slopes may be particularly vulnerable to earthquake damage.
They should consider purchasing a separate earthquake insurance policy, and/or a seismic retrofit of their home.
Floods pose another potential catastrophe often overlooked in traditional policies. Many remain unaware that flood insurance usually requires a 30-day waiting period before becoming effective. While the Federal Flood Insurance Program primarily offers coverage in the state, private flood insurance alternatives are also available.
Commissioner Lara underscores the significance of scrutinizing existing coverage to comprehend what perils are included or excluded in the event of rainstorm-related damages beyond rising water flooding.
No matter what the disaster there are steps all Californians can take to be prepared. Here are a few:
• Use your smartphone to perform a home inventory to create a record of your belongings and store scans of important documents that you can easily access.
• Locate your insurance papers and put them in a safe place or upload to an online location.
• Create a plan with your family to evacuate your home should a disaster strike and put together an emergency supply kit.
"The California Department of Insurance is an unwavering advocate and steadfast protector of consumers. We stand as experts in insurance and consumer protection, committed to ensuring every Californian's peace of mind in the face of uncertainty,” added Commissioner Lara. “Together, we can fortify our state against adversity and build safer communities."
The Department has additional resources to prepare for disasters and review insurance coverage on its website.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
After taking into account the costs associated with fuel, maintenance, insurance and depreciation, the average yearly expense of a new car is $12,182 per year, or $1,015 per month.
That's a 12% jump over 2022 where costs were $10,728 per year or $894 per month.
In California, that cost rises to $14,390 per year.
“Vehicle ownership expenses vary depending on the vehicle’s make, model, and where you live,” explained John Treanor, spokesperson for AAA Northern California. “Understanding the long-term financial commitment associated with buying a new car is essential.”
Car prices rose dramatically due to global supply chain issues and limited inventory. The annual costs of owning a new vehicle were also be affected by:
Depreciation, which is the difference between the value of a car when it is purchased and its value when it is sold. YDC projects new cars will depreciate in value more quickly than before, at an average of $4,538 per year.
A jump in new vehicle prices (up almost $1,600) compared to used vehicle values that have declined in the last year.
More oversized, luxurious vehicles, loaded with extra features in production that bump up prices further.
When purchasing a new car, it’s important to remember these AAA Northern California tips:
• Start early. Considering limited inventory, potential wait times for specific models, and the need for pre-orders, start the car buying process early.
• Get pre-approved. Secure pre-approval from a financial institution before discussing finance rates with the dealer. This provides a benchmark for negotiating rates.
• Budget planning. Create a budget that encompasses all aspects of ownership, not just monthly payments. Account for insurance, fuel, maintenance and more.
• Negotiation separation. Keep negotiations for car cost, finance rates and trade-in value separate from each other.
• Trade-in evaluation. Check multiple sources to determine the value of your trade-in.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
From Sept. 11, 2023, through Sept. 22, 2023, in counties where such licenses are available, applications for new original on-sale general and off-sale general licenses will be accepted at district and branch offices.
During the same period, priority applications will be accepted for the intercounty transfer of on-sale general and off-sale general licenses, as authorized.
Prior to the priority application period, the department will announce how many new licenses are authorized based on statutory authorizations and limitations.
The department will provide a list of counties that will be eligible for additional on-sale general and off-sale general licenses.
Only one priority application will be accepted from any one applicant per county for each type of license.
A fee of $17,335 is to be paid when filing an application for a new original general license and a fee of $6,570 is to be paid when filing a priority application for the intercounty transfer of a general license.
Only a certified check, cashier’s check or money order will be accepted for payment of the application fee, which should be made payable to Alcoholic Beverage Control.
If the number of applicants within a county for a particular type of license/transaction is equal to or less than the number of licenses available, all applicants will be notified that they have 90 days to complete a formal application for their specific premises.
If the department receives more applications than there are licenses available, a public drawing will be held. Priority drawings for new licenses will be scheduled the week of Oct. 23, 2023.
To participate in such a drawing, an applicant must have been a resident of California for at least 90 days prior to the date of the scheduled drawing.
Successful drawing participants will be notified that they have 90 days to complete a formal application for their specific premises.
Unsuccessful drawing participants will be automatically refunded their application fee (minus a $100 service charge) within 90 to 120 days of the priority drawing but will retain their priority ranking until a new priority list is established in 2023.
If an applicant owes money to California taxing agencies, a claim against the priority application fee may be made by the taxing agency.
If such a claim is made, the amount owed will be deducted from the priority application fee at the time of refund and remitted to the taxing agency.
In the coming weeks, additional information and instructions regarding application for original and intercounty transfer of general licenses will be made available on the ABC website and in district offices.
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