This is in response to Paul Arnold’s letter to the editor (“Speak up about insurance rates,” Our Readers’ Views, Nov. 6). At first, as one of many retired seniors with excellent credit ratings and safe driving histories, I agreed with everything he had to say.
I had just received my auto insurance renewal bill, and sure enough, there was a roughly $50 increase for the six-month coverage period, which comes to $100 per year. The only thing that had changed was that my insurer could no longer consider my credit rating in calculating my premium. That made me angry because it didn’t seem fair.
I called my insurance company to complain and was told they’re trying to overturn the Washington State Insurance Commission’s mandate. And it was implied that perhaps $100 spread over one year is not really such a burden.
That started me thinking. Maybe instead of trying to take away a safety net for our less-fortunate neighbors, we should place the onus on the insurance industry in Washington to devise a formula of higher discounts for safe drivers. Or maybe they could even cut back on their profits a little, say to the tune of $100 a year per good driver. That wouldn’t really be such a burden, would it?
