You know, I am really irritated at Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler’s recent edict eliminating premium discounts for drivers with good credit records.
Like most conscientious citizens, I pay my bills promptly to ensure that I retain good credit and, also, because it is the responsible thing to do.
Like most conscientious citizens, I drive carefully to avoid accidents and forestall traffic infractions and, also, because it is the responsible thing to do.
Like most conscientious citizens who drive carefully and pay their bills, I am considered responsible and, previously, my responsibility was rewarded with a safe driver discount resulting in decreased premiums because drivers with good credit, responsible drivers, file fewer claims thereby benefiting both the insurance companies and society at large and, seemingly, should be encouraged.
Now, however, Commissioner Kreidler claims that charging lower rates to those with exemplary credit scores is unfair because it has “disproportionate impact on low-income individuals and communities of color” which, presumably, do not have exemplary credit scores.
So Commissioner Kreidler, will right this wrong by hiking premiums for those with good credit, defined as responsible, and decrease the rates for low-income individuals and communities of color who are, apparently, considered irresponsible.
Simply put, Commissioner Kreidler’s plan requires responsible individuals to underwrite the irresponsibility of the irresponsible thereby requiring the responsible to become responsible for the irresponsible.
Like most conscientious citizens, I find that rewarding the irresponsible at the expense of the responsible is irresponsible.
Dick Pilling
Port Angeles
EDITOR’S NOTE: The Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner says on its website that, as of June 20, insurance companies could no longer use credit scores in determining premiums.