(Undated) — Some California drivers will be getting a nasty surprise when they open their car insurance bills. Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara has approved large rate hikes, ending a long COVID break, when people were driving less. But now, insurance companies are complaining they’re losing money in the state, so higher rates are showing up in renewal letters.

The Consumer Watchdog group says insurance companies shouldn’t be allowed to raise rates because many still haven’t given customers refunds for when they weren’t driving during the pandemic. They also argue the hikes are discriminatory, with working-class Californians without a professional occupation and advanced degree paying up to 18-percent higher premiums.