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Commissioner Senn Says Free Auto Insurance Guide Will Help Consumers As They Shop for Coverage

1 November 2000

Commissioner Senn Says Free Auto Insurance Guide Will Help Consumers As They Shop for Coverage

    OLYMPIA, Wash., Nov. 1 State Insurance Commissioner
Deborah Senn says her office has updated its auto insurance shopping guide for
consumers to use as they compare different coverages.
    The guide is free and can be ordered by phone (800-562-6900) or read on
Commissioner Senn's web site (http://www.insurance.wa.gov)
    In addition, consumers can obtain an updated copy of an auto insurance
complaint guide, called "How Does My Auto Insurance Company Rate?" That
publication compares the number of complaints the Office of the Insurance
Commissioner receives annually for different auto insurance carriers.
    The complaint totals are adjusted by the amount of business each company
does in the state, resulting in a ratio that lets consumers easily compare
little companies with fewer policyholders and few complaints against big
companies with many more policyholders and understandably higher complaint
totals.
    The overall auto insurance guide is titled "In The Driver's Seat" and is
printed in two parts:

    -- The outer jacket publication describes auto insurance for the layman,
including shopping tips, state laws dealing with auto insurance, and
different ways shoppers can cut the cost of their auto insurance.
    -- The other publication fits inside the other and lists actual premiums
that different companies charge for hypothetical examples of drivers, cars,
and driving records. Every insurance company that sells in Washington state is
invited to list its premiums in the book.

    The guide lists 10 different scenarios involving different kinds of
drivers in terms of driving record, type of vehicles, the way they use the
vehicle, and coverages.
    The insurer premium quotes for each example are submitted for eight
different locations in Washington state -- Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia, Everett,
Yakima, Vancouver, Spokane, and Tonasket.
    Most first-time readers of the shopping guide are astounded to see that it
is common for auto carriers to be hundreds of dollars apart in the premiums
they would charge the same driver, Commissioner Senn said.
    Other consumers may not realize the many ways any auto insurance bill can
be trimmed if they realize what they are buying and only buy what they need.
Some of the tips outlined in the guide include:

    -- Understanding the different auto insurance markets and how they work.
    -- Buying certain types of cars that cost less to insure.
    -- Looking for discounts that auto insurance carriers offer.
    -- Tailoring the amount of coverage you buy to your individual
       circumstances.

    "You also may not realize how much your auto insurance premium can be
affected by so many different factors, including the place you live,"
Commissioner Senn said. "We suggest that shoppers find the example that best
fits their situation and use the price comparisons that are listed to get an
idea of what they will need to pay for that coverage."
    The guide also includes some other helpful information:  A list of
high-risk insurers willing to take on consumers with very poor driving
records, advice on what to do in the event of an accident, and safety tips
for drivers.
    EDITORS:  Any consumer experiencing problems with his or her insurance
carrier can call Commissioner Senn's toll-free Consumer Hot Line at
800-562-6900 for information or to file a complaint.