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In 1988 California voters passed a proposition to regulate the auto insurance industry to keep premiums reasonable and fair. The group Consumer Watchdog, formerly known as the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer rights, estimates that Proposition 103, which is enforced by the state’s Department of Insurance, has saved drivers over $23 billion in its first decade, and is responsible for California having the lowest rise in auto insurance rates in the nation. Consumer Watchdog’s founder, Harvey Rosenfield, who authored the original proposition is now warning that recent so-called emergency amendments made to the proposition will severely weaken it. Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner who introduced the amendments to regulations written by his predecessor, Lt. Gov. John Garamendi, has sought to give insurers more flexibility in using estimates of future losses when making a case for a rate increase. The rules were adopted on an emergency basis with little opportunity for public comment. They must be approved by the state Office of Administrative Law before going into effect.<\/p>\n The California Department of Insurance can be contacted through insurance.ca.gov<\/a>. <\/p>\n![\"Auto](\"http:\/\/www.autoinsurancecompanies.us\/insurance-adjuster-400.jpg\")
GUEST: Carmen Balber, Consumer Advocate with Consumer Watchdog<\/em><\/p>\n