For the last 25 years, I've worked day and night to keep insurance rates low here in California. That's why I'm OPPOSED to PROP 33, the Mercury Insurance Company Initiative…and I need your help to get the word out.
Prop 33 will allow insurance companies to raise rates on good drivers who've done nothing wrong. It legalizes huge surcharges (hundreds, or even thousands of dollars) on consumers just because they did not previously have auto insurance – even if they didn't own a car, or didn't drive. Motorists would pay more if they had a lengthy lapse in coverage through no fault of their own – because they were sick or haven't been able to get a job since the 2008 financial crash.
We all know the special interests are trying to steal the election tomorrow. But I still couldn't believe it when I opened the Los Angeles Times yesterday and saw a huge ad featuring two people claiming to be former state "insurance commissioners," saying that Proposition 33 will help consumers. They both work for the insurance industry!
The billionaire chairman of Mercury Insurance, a company that has consistently misled regulators and broken state insurance rules, paid for that deceitful advertisement and the entire Prop 33 deceptive campaign. He's spent $17 million so far. We don't have the millions to fight back with our own ads. But you can help me defeat Prop 33 by warning your family and friends to VOTE NO ON PROP 33.
Forward this blog to them, or use this link to send them an email, post it on your Facebook page or tweet it today.
The Prop 33 surcharges were a huge problem back in the 1980s, and led to more uninsured motorists on the road and higher rates for everyone. That's why, when I wrote Proposition 103 back in 1987, I put in a protection against these surcharges, and we Californians passed it. Proposition 33 actually repeals that protection.
Prop 33 will punish students, seniors, mass transit commuters, even military spouses and veterans.
Just ask yourself this question: When was the last time an insurance company and its executives put a proposition on the ballot to save you and me money?
Never.
In fact, a few days ago Mercury Insurance Chairman George Joseph admitted to a Los Angeles Times reporter that he's just using the initiative process to make more money for himself and his company.
That's why every major newspaper in California is urging people to vote NO on 33.
Just two years ago, California voters rejected a ballot measure by Mercury Insurance that was almost identical to Proposition 33.
We can beat them again, but only if you help me get out the word today.
Please urge your family and friends to vote NO on Prop 33. Forward this blog to them, or use this link to send them an email, post it on your Facebook page or tweet it today.
Thanks for all your support,
Harvey Rosenfield
Founder of Consumer Watchdog
