If you're a small business owner medical marijuana patient looking to protect those pot plants you have growing in your backyard, you might be tempted to take out an insurance policy to cover your assets medicine in case of the inevitable drug raid that comes from growing an unthoroughly legalized plant. more ›

A health insurance company announced this week that it was deciding to give back — to its policyholders. Blue Shield of California said that it was giving back $283 million to nearly 2 million policyholders in California, according to the Los Angeles Times. more ›

The wife of a Glendale man who tried unsuccessfully to perform his own hernia removal operation with a butter knife says their lack of insurance is at the root of their troubles, according to the Glendale News-Press. more ›

Drivers who telecommute or who keep their mileage to a minimum can soon opt to sign up for insurance plans that offer savings for driving less. California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner announced yesterday that two insurance providers, State Farm and the Automobile Club of Southern California, will implement new pay-as-you-drive insurance plans effective February 2011. more ›

When it comes to collision frequency, the Southland isn't doing all that great. Well, that's according to Allstate Insurance's 6th annual "Best Drivers Report" that is based on company claim data. more ›

In a move that could get people finding alternative ways to commute, state legislation (.pdf) approved last year enabled auto insurance companies in California to offer discounted rates for drivers who don't use their vehicles that much. Now, State Farm is the first company trying to take advantage it. more ›

A state bill that would prohibit health insurers from raising customers’ rates more than once per year took was approved by the Assembly's Health Committee today. “This measure complements the recent federal health reforms by ensuring that health insurers are prohibited from raising their rates multiple times per year. If insurers raise rates when their subscribers aren’t expecting an increase, cash-strapped families could be forced to give up their coverage,” said Mike Feuer, the L.A. Assemblymember who authored the bill, which heads to another committee next. News of rising healthcare insurance costs, most notably Anthem's 39% proposed increased, prompted Feuer to write the bill. more ›

In addition to an initiative seeking an increase in alcohol taxes by, ohhhh, 10,000%, two others were cleared for signature gathering last week. One deals with auto insurance and the other with congressional districts. more ›

The above YouTube video helped investigators land two Diamond Bar siblings in cuffs today after they allegedly submitted false claims to insurance agents.... more ›

There's a lot of focus on the upcoming November election with the Governor's race, the possible vote on legalizing marijuana and other issues. But first we must make it through the June 8th primary election, which offers up five propositions. A few of them are going to be debated widely. more ›

They should as it might be in their best interest. A new study from RAND says $193 million has been spent on hospital visits, thanks to air pollution. The study's goal was to put "credible evidence in front of insurers and the healthcare lobby, among the groups who work with these issues every day," reported KPCC. Economist John Romley said "these are folks who may have greater or significant influence in the political debate about air quality." L.A. and Orange counties accounted for more than half of the $193 million. more ›

When El Monte Assistant Principal Bobby Salcedo was kidnapped and later executed in Mexico during the holidays, LAist's phone rang--someone had a story idea for us. "Would you like to write a story about kidnap and ransom insurance?" more ›

Remember last August, right as the national healthcare reform debate was getting a bit wild, when a huge free medical checkup event set up for a week at The Forum in Inglewood? Well, they're coming back in April from the 24th through May 4th--this time at the Coliseum. The Coliseum Commission yesterday, at the request of L.A. County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, voted unanimously to waive rental fees for use of the Sports Arena for Remote Area Medical's return. more ›

Although his paintings were allegedly stolen fro his westside home last month, Richard L. Weisman waived the $25 million he could have gotten under his insurance policy, reports the Los Angeles Times. more ›

A motion from back when Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa was a City Councilmember became reality today when he announced LA Rx, a discount prescription drug program for not just city residents, but L.A. County ones, too. more ›

Hundreds lined up at the Inglewood Forum early this morning for free medical, dental and vision care not just for the uninsured and under-insured, but the unemployed and under-employed, too. Remote Area Medical, a volunteer based organization that recruits professional doctors, will be here today through August 18th beginning at 5:30 a.m. daily. Only 1,200 people a day will be scheduled for appointments, according to the LA Times, which noted people began showing before 3 a.m. this morning. A variety of services will be offered including PAP smears, x-rays and Mammography. more ›

So is this why my health insurance with them has increased again... for the fourth time in two years? Nevertheless, it's a good thing for the people who are getting payback. "Anthem Blue Cross, the state's largest for-profit health insurer, has agreed to pay a $1-million fine and offer new coverage -- no questions asked -- to 2,330 people it dropped after they submitted bills for expensive medical care," reports the LA Times this morning. "The settlement follows Anthem's agreement last year to pay a $10-million fine to settle similar charges involving 1,770 members in HMO-type policies overseen by the Department of Managed Health Care, another state regulator." more ›

Whether you're a homeowner or renter, after a fire destroys your property, you'll be working with insurance to start over again (that's assuming, you have insurance, probably a good idea if you live in Southern California). "Residents need to prepare for evacuation with a 'grab and go box' containing important insurance and financial documents, a room-by-room inventory and relevant receipts," tips the Daily News. more ›

They befriended homeless men, gave them life insurance policies for two years, killed them by running over them, claimed their deaths as hit and runs and collected on the insurance. Nearly $3 million was collected between the two men they setup before getting caught. After the second death in 2005 is when authorities became suspicious -- similar incident, similar injuries. more ›

When asked what I was thankful for this year, I really had to step back and think for a while. I know life is full of blessings, but writing about what makes me want to keep breathing everyday isn't as easy as it sounds. So without further ado here are some things, good and bad, big and small, that made me feel thankful this year in no particular order... 1. Guitar Hero III I’m... more ›

Fires raged across Southern California for the second day in a row. Helicopters joined the effort as did a Boeing 747, according to NBC TV. Also, 250,000 San Diegans were told to evacuate their homes. LAist is on top of recent developments. Fires in the region always make me think of when NBC newscaster Chuck Henry reported on the forest fires in 2003. His news van caught on fire and he and his crew had... more ›