California drivers eligible for discount may have been hurt by improper policies, state warns

California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara issued a memo Thursday with a warning to automobile insurance companies: Change your practices or face discipline.

That message came after Californians had complained to the Department of Insurance about waiting periods, questionnaires and other practices that may violate state law. In particular, Lara’s memo said that all people who are eligible for a “Good Driver” cost deduction should be offered one and not face unreasonable requirements.

“These alleged passive-aggressive tactics by insurance companies to slow down drivers’ access to coverage are unacceptable, dangerous, and will not be tolerated,” he said in a statement.

The memo said the department had received “numerous consumer complaints” about auto insurance companies but did not specify which companies were the subject of the allegations. In an email, an unidentified spokesperson for the department said the agency could not share specific complaint information.

Mark Sektnan, vice president for state government relations for the American Property Casualty Insurance Association, a national trade organization, said in an emailed statement: “Insurers are committed to following the law” and “providing California consumers access to the insurance they need.”

In a news release, the department said residents claim that some companies may not be offering a “Good Driver” discount to everyone who qualifies. Also, companies may be “imposing unreasonable application requirements” that are unrelated to eligibility criteria for the cost reduction. They include: having to complete unnecessarily lengthy questionnaires, verify employment or school information or submit additional documentation.

The agency said it contacted insurance companies and several had already stopped certain practices and taken other actions to restore coverage.