Proposition 33

Auto Insurance Prices

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Prop. 33 would change state law to allow insurance companies to set prices based on whether the driver previously carried auto insurance with any insurance company. Companies would be allowed to give discounts to drivers who had prior coverage. Drivers who have not had continuous coverage could be charged at higher rates under the measure.

Official Election Results:

Yes: 5,510,282 [45.0%]
No: 6,737,571 [55.0%]

Details

Pro/Con
Pro: 

Proponents of the Prop. 33 believe that California's current law punishes drivers for seeking better or cheaper insurance by taking away the discount for being continuously insured. They say that the measure will correct the law and make the consumer in charge of the discount.

Supporters

Yes on Prop. 33

Con: 

Opponents claim that Prop. 33 is financed by insurance companies and will allow them to increase premiums and punish consumers. Opponents also believe the measure's continuous coverage provisions will result in a surcharge for many California drivers.

Opponents

 No on 33

In Depth

Proposition 103 (Section 1861.01 (a) of the California Insurance Code (CIC)), enacted in 1988, set current state law regarding automobile insurance rates and premiums for insurance policies. Rates and premiums are determined by the insured's driving record, the number of miles driven every year, and the number of years of the insured's driving experience. Under the law, the Insurance Commissioner can adopt additional factors that relate to the risk of an insurer having to pay claims for a loss suffered by an insured person. One of these factors is "persistency", which establishes the right of an insurer to reward long-term customers with discounts and other bonuses. New customers are barred from any persistency discount. The law also bars insurance companies assigning rates and premiums based on whether a customer did not previously have automobile insurance. Prop. 103 also established the requirement of all insurance companies in the state to pay an insurance premium tax instead of a corporate income tax. The tax is based on the amount of insurance premiums the insurer earned in the state each year for automobile insurance as well as other kinds of insurance.

Proposition 33 would allow an insurance company to offer a discount on automobile insurance policies to customers who switch their coverage from another insurance company. The measure requires the customer to have had "continuous coverage" with the previous insurer. A proportional basis would determine the discount based on the number of years in the previous five ears that the customer was insured. 

Exemptions would be granted for customers who had a lapse in service if the lapse was no more than 90 days in the past five years, for nor more than 18 months in the last five years due to loss of employment from layoff, or in the case of active military service. Children, residing with a parent, would be eligible for the discount based on the eligibility of their parents.

Proposition 33 could change the tax revenues received by the state because of lower or higher rate of automobile insurance premiums earned by insurance companies.

Proposition 33 is similar to Proposition 17 which failed on the June 8th, 2010 ballot. That measure also offered a discount for new customers who had previously been insured by a different company. The measures differ in that Proposition 17 required that military personnel could only qualify for the discount if they were stationed overseas. Proposition 33 extends the discount to all military perssonel no matter where they are stationed. Proposition 33 also provides the discount to those who have been unemployed for 18 months from paying more after a lapse in coverage. Proposition 17 also did not include the discount for customers who lacked coverage due to layoff.

Polling
Voter Resources

Official CA Documents

Official Voter Information Guide

Campaign Finance Information

Cal-Access Check out how much money is being raised and spent to pass or defeat this measure, and where the money is coming from.

Cal-Access Ballot Measure Summary Data Search Select "General 06 November 2012" and "Proposition 033" from the drop-down menus. Cal-Access provides financial information supplied by state candidates, donors, lobbyists, and others.

Nonpartisan Analyses

Ballotpedia

California Initiative Review - Pacific McGeorge Capital Center for Public Law and Policy.

Maplight: Voter's Edge

League of Women Voters: Pros and Cons

Multimedia
Supporters
Proposition 33 Protects Military Families and Veterans -- YES Prop. 33
Proposition 33 Protects Military Families and Veterans -- YES Prop. 33
Yes Prop 33 - Spanish -- YES Prop. 33
Yes Prop 33 - Spanish -- YES Prop. 33
Darrell - Vote Yes on Prop 33 -- YES Prop. 33
Darrell - Vote Yes on Prop 33 -- YES Prop. 33
Prop 33 Greenlining Institute Says - Vote Yes Prop 33 -- Yes on Prop. 33
Prop 33 Greenlining Institute Says - Vote Yes Prop 33 -- Yes on Prop. 33
Vote Yes Prop 33 -- Yes on Prop. 33
Vote Yes Prop 33 -- Yes on Prop. 33
Prop 33 Saves You Money -- Yes on Prop. 33
Prop 33 Saves You Money -- Yes on Prop. 33
Prop 33 - Pete Conaty -- Yes on Prop. 33
Prop 33 - Pete Conaty -- Yes on Prop. 33
Support Military Families - Vote Yes on Prop 33 -- Yes on Prop. 33
Support Military Families - Vote Yes on Prop 33 -- Yes on Prop. 33
Non-Partisan
Discussion of Statewide Propositions by the League of Women Voters for the November 2012 California Elections -- Cupertino Senior TV Productions
Discussion of Statewide Propositions by the League of Women Voters for the November 2012 California Elections -- Cupertino Senior TV Productions

Forum with Michael Krasny: Proposition 33
KQED
Opponents
Insurer-Backed Prop 33 Will Hurt Real Drivers -- For Consumer Rights
Insurer-Backed Prop 33 Will Hurt Real Drivers -- For Consumer Rights
Consumer Alert: Big Lies Behind Insurer-Backed Prop 33 TV Ads -- For Consumer Rights
Consumer Alert: Big Lies Behind Insurer-Backed Prop 33 TV Ads -- For Consumer Rights
Prop 33 unfairly punishes people who stopped driving for good reasons - like using public transit -- For Consumer Rights
Prop 33 unfairly punishes people who stopped driving for good reasons - like using public transit -- For Consumer Rights
Prop 33 supporter has launched a deceptive campaign targeting those serving abroad -- For Consumer Rights
Prop 33 supporter has launched a deceptive campaign targeting those serving abroad -- For Consumer Rights
Prop 33 and Mercury's empty promise to our veterans -- For Consumer Rights
Prop 33 and Mercury's empty promise to our veterans -- For Consumer Rights
Prop 33 will unfairly surcharge students -- For Consumer Rights
Prop 33 will unfairly surcharge students -- For Consumer Rights
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