California Highway Patrolmen Join the Growing Coalition of Support for Proposition 33

CAHP SAYS KEEPING INSURANCE IS CRITICAL

SACRAMENTO, CA--Sept. 4, 2012:  The California Association of Highway Patrolmen (CAHP), representing more than 13,000 active and retired highway patrol officers throughout the state, announced their endorsement of Proposition 33.

"Proposition 33 provides an incentive for people to follow the law," said Doug Villars, President of the CAHP.  "As a result CAHP believes that there will be less uninsured drivers in California. Proposition 33 is not a repeat of any earlier initiative, but a comprehensive effort to get everyone insured at a reasonable price."

In California, car insurance companies can offer a discount to drivers who have had continuous car insurance coverage, but unlike in most states, this discount belongs to the insurance companies not the driver.  As a result, California has the ninth highest car insurance rates in the country, according to CBS News.  Proposition 33 will change this by giving ownership of the discount to the driver instead of the insurance company. Proposition 33 will allow consumers to shop their discount to an insurance carrier they choose. This will increase competition, lower rates and insure more Californians.

"CAHP is committed to supporting public safety throughout California," added Villars. "Every day we see legal and financial ramifications caused by uninsured drivers.  Proposition 33 is a common sense initiative that will help all families gain access to affordable auto insurance."

Unlike an earlier initiative, Proposition 33 is more inclusive and has received bipartisan support since being added to the November ballot.  CAHP joins a public safety coalition that includes the largest group of police officers and deputy sheriffs in California as well as the states firefighters.  Proposition 33 is also endorsed by the California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the California Black Chamber of Commerce, The Greenlining Institute and Democratic and Republican leaders including former Republican Assembly Minority Leader Jim Brulte and former Democratic Assembly Speaker Willie Brown.