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| State Insurance Consumer Advocate Announces Launch of Office's Website
Contact:
Kathy Fagan 517-373-9280
Agency:
Labor & Economic Growth
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July 16, 2008 - Michigan's Automobile and Home Insurance Consumer Advocate Melvin Butch Hollowell today announced the launch of the office's website, www.michigan.gov/lowerratesnow, designed exclusively to provide consumers with valuable information on automobile and home insurance rates.
Hollowell also announced the office's major objectives including a plan to revisit how insurance affordability is defined in Michigan, and a No Fine Print Initiative, which seeks to reform the way insurance policies are written so consumers can clearly understand what is covered and what is excluded.
The website serves as an informational resource and engagement tool for consumers. An "e-Feedback" section allows citizens to comment on issues like credit scoring, and an "ABCs of No Fault" section explains the basics of No Fault insurance in understandable terms.
In announcing his initiative, Hollowell said a recent national safety study by the Allstate Insurance Company ranked Michigan's drivers as some of the safest in the United States.
"The Allstate report stands in stark contrast to Michigan's high auto insurance rates," Hollowell said. "Michigan drivers are doing a good job, yet our rates are sky high. As advocate, I am taking the consumer's side in examining the nature of the system we have in Michigan to determine why rates are unaffordable."
As insurance advocate, Hollowell will meet with citizens, consumer groups, experts, and insurance industry representatives in developing recommendations for needed reforms.
In her 2008 State of the State address, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm announced the creation of a new automobile and home insurance consumer advocate position to fight for affordable, reliable, and fair auto and home insurance in Michigan. In March, the Governor appointed Hollowell as the State Automobile and Home Insurance Consumer Advocate, charging him with conducting hearings, receiving testimony from consumers and submitting to the Governor an annual report on his findings and recommendations for administrative, legislative, or other corrective actions that would positively affect the interests of automobile insurance and home insurance consumers.
Hollowell also will work to educate consumers on how to protect themselves against predatory or illegal insurance practices and coordinate advocacy and educational efforts with non-governmental consumer advocacy entities and other organizations.
Read more Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth press releases.
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