The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

National Safety Commission Urges Florida Legislature to Tackle Rising State Auto Insurance Rates

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla., Jan. 10, 2007-- With the Florida Legislature preparing to convene in Special Session Tuesday to tackle the problem of skyrocketing Florida property insurance rates, the National Safety Commission called on the Legislature to take action to provide relief from rising Florida auto insurance rates as well.

"Everyone knows how much trouble Floridians are having finding affordable property insurance, but Florida's auto insurance market is also in urgent crisis," said Ken Underwood, president of the National Safety Commission, one of America's leading auto safety advocacy organizations. "We hope the Legislature will work to address this crisis and provide relief to drivers who are in need of quality, low-cost auto insurance."

In May of 2006, a unit of State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co. requested a 71.5 percent increase in Florida auto insurance rates. State Farm is the largest insurer in Florida. Other insurers have followed suit, and many families are having trouble paying insurance premiums that continue to rise much faster than inflation.

The crisis, however, is not simply a result of the devastating hurricanes of 2005 and 2006. In 2004 the average Florida household paid 11 percent more on auto insurance premiums - an average of $2,477 - than a year before.

According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, Florida's ranking in the cost to insure a car leaped from 11th in 2000 to sixth in 2004, at an average expense of $1,062.31 - a 36 percent increase over four years earlier.

"Florida's transportation system depends on driving, and driving depends on a reliable auto insurance system," Underwood said. "If we reach the point where strained families have to choose between putting food on the table or paying auto insurance premiums, our entire transportation system could be put at risk."

The National Safety Commission is based in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., and is America's leader in safety training. The National Safety Commission, through www.LowestPriceTrafficSchool.com and www.TestQuestionsAndAnswers.com provides safety courses to consumers and businesses in every state and over 15 countries to teach consumers that "safety is no accident," but stems from vigilance and education.