News

NATIONAL SURVEY FINDS WIDESPREAD CONSUMER CONFUSION ABOUT ROLE AND OBLIGATIONS OF LIFE INSURANCE AGENTS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PLEASANT HILL, CA – A new national survey released by the Life Insurance Consumer Advocacy Center (LICAC) found widespread confusion among consumers about the role of life insurance agents, how they are compensated, and whose interests they represent when selling a policy. Key findings from the survey include: More than 65% of respondents…

Read More...

Consumers Are Badly Informed About the Role and Obligations of Their Life Insurance Agents

The Life Insurance Consumer Advocacy Center (LICAC) has released the results of a nationally representative survey revealing significant gaps in consumers’ understanding of the life insurance purchasing process, including the role and obligations of agents, whom they represent, and how they are compensated.   The survey, which polled individuals who purchased a life insurance policy…

Read More...

Life Insurance Consumer Advocacy Center Releases California Insurance Commissioner Candidate Questionnaire

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE               Contact: Doug Elmets May 27, 2026                                (916) 329-9180   PLEASANT HILL, CA – The Life Insurance Consumer Advocacy Center (LICAC) has released questionnaire responses from candidates running for California Insurance Commissioner ahead of the June 2, 2026 primary election. Candidates were invited to share their perspectives on…

Read More...

The Problem with Flexible Premiums

A flexible premium life insurance policy, like most universal life policies, can offer significant benefits to consumers. However, it can also lead to false expectations among those who do not understand what a flexible premium means.  Many consumers, unaware of how flexible premiums work, are surprised when, after paying premiums faithfully for many years, they…

Read More...

Life Insurance Consumer Advocacy Center Calls on Life Insurers to Improve Practices Regarding Flexible Premium Policies 

Policy sustainability and transparency are necessary for consumer wellbeing. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PLEASANT HILL, CA –The Life Insurance Consumer Advocacy Center (LICAC) is calling on life insurance companies and agents to improve communication and transparency practices regarding flexible premium policies. Current practices are damaging, taking advantage of consumers by giving them a false sense of security…

Read More...

Insurer Avoids Court Review of Whether California’s Lapse Statutes Apply to Out-of-State Policies

Do California’s lapse statutes apply to policies originally issued in another state but later renewed in California? We won’t find out anytime soon. This important question was raised by Susan Pitt v. Metropolitan Tower Life Insurance Co., Case No. S289376. The California Supreme Court was set to decide the issue, having accepted a request to…

Read More...

Understanding Life Settlements

Is a life insurance policy an asset? Can it be sold? More than 100 years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court confirmed that life insurance is property. This ruling had lasting effects on how insurance policies are held, traded, or sold. As a result, policyholders have the right to sell their policies to third parties, often…

Read More...

California Supreme Court to Decide Whether California’s Lapse Statutes Apply to Policies Originally Issued in Another State but Later Renewed in California

California Supreme Court to Decide Whether California’s Lapse Statutes Apply to Policies Originally Issued in Another State but Later Renewed in California   On April 16, 2025, the California Supreme Court granted a request from the federal 9th Circuit Court of Appeals for the California Supreme Court to decide an important issue of California law…

Read More...

Life Insurance Consumer Advocacy Center Sues California Department of Insurance for California Public Records Act Violation

The Life Insurance Consumer Advocacy Center (LICAC) has filed a lawsuit against the California Department of Insurance (CDI) for violations of the California Public Records Act (CPRA). Despite multiple requests for available data, including LICAC’s having to demonstrate that the data exists. CDI has refused. The lawsuit, which was filed on March 13, 2025, states…

Read More...

Life Insurance Policy Purchasing Experience Survey

Read More...