American Property Casualty Insurance Association: Well-Intended Regulations Could Eliminate Insurance Discounts for Millions

SACRAMENTO, California, Jan. 30 -- The American Property Casualty Insurance Association issued the following news release:

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- APCIA testified at California Department of Insurance pre-notice workshop on affinity group discount programs

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The American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA) testified in opposition to draft regulations that could eliminate many affinity group insurance discount programs during a pre-notice workshop held by the California Department of Insurance (CDI) in Los Angeles.

"We share CDI's goal of helping low-income Californians have access to lower auto insurance rates, but the regulations, as drafted, will not benefit these communities," said Mark Sektnan, APCIA vice president for state government relations. "These regulations would have the unintended consequence of taking away discount programs from millions of drivers who are childcare workers, food technicians, electricians, music teachers and sanitation workers. These regulations will not just eliminate discounts for auto insurance customers, they will also impact homeowners - and that includes homeowners struggling in the Wildland Urban Interface where higher risks are driving up costs and limiting the availability of homeowners' coverage. Adding pressure on insurance rates will only make matters worse for these homeowners."

The pre-notice workshop was intended to foster a dialogue about the regulations, which have not been formally introduced in the regulatory process subject to the Administrative Procedures Act.

The American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA) is the primary national trade association for home, auto, and business insurers. APCIA promotes and protects the viability of private competition for the benefit of consumers and insurers, with a legacy dating back 150 years. APCIA members represent all sizes, structures, and regions--protecting families, communities, and businesses in the U.S. and across the globe.