Legislator Says Nix To N.Y. Flex Rates

By Daniel Hays

NU Online News Service, Jan. 29, 1:59 p.m. EST?A State Senate measure permitting New York auto insurers to resume making limited rate increases without prior regulatory approval has run into a roadblock in the Assembly.

The legislation, which was passed in the Republican-controlled Senate earlier this month, is now in the Democratic controlled Assembly. The bill, S. 6058, is lodged with the Insurance Committee and the chairman of that panel has denounced it, as unfair to the public.

Assemblyman Pete Grannis, D-New York, said that under the bill to restore what is known as flex rating, "some drivers could see premium hikes of hundreds of dollars without the insurance department first scrutinizing any filing request to see whether these increases are merited. And that's certainly not good for consumers."

Christine Olli, an aide to Mr. Grannis said that as a consequence of his position the bill would not soon move from committee.

Mr. Grannis in his statement denouncing the bill said, "In responding to the industry's call for reinstatement of flex rating, the Senate once again has sided with insurers at the expense of consumers."

Flex rating, which was permitted under a law that expired last year, allows increases by insurers of up to 7 percent a year without prior approval. Higher rate increases require regulatory approval.

Mr. Grannis noted that insurers in New York were currently seeking hikes of 25 percent for standard coverage and up to 85 percent for drivers in the assigned risk plan. "It is a huge disappointment that the Senate's answer to this crisis is to try to make it easier to raise the premiums paid by working families in New York."

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Legislator Says Nix To N.Y. Flex Rates

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