Letter to the Editor – SACRAMENTO BEE

October 16, 2022

Do better, Lara

“This would be the most miserable choice on California’s ballot — if it were a choice,” (sacbee.com, Oct. 10)

The Bee is justly critical of Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara’s first term. But blaming the voters for making the office an elected post — part of insurance reform Proposition 103 — ignores history. 

When elected commissioners do their job, Californians win. Motorists have saved over $154 billion on auto insurance in the 30 years since Prop. 103 passed, according to a report by the Consumer Federation of America. Auto premiums rose 58.5% nationwide during that period but dropped by 5.7% in California. Previous elected commissioners have enacted regulations to force insurance companies to refund a total of $1.2 billion in premium overcharges, restricted discriminatory auto insurance pricing and barred the use of credit scoring. 

The voters gave Lara full power to confront insurance industry abuses. He needs to do so.

Harvey Rosenfield

Consumer Watchdog

Author of Proposition 103

Los Angeles