Controversy Over No-Fault

Step aside, insurance company executives, now you have the insurance commissioner of California trying to force the no-fault program down the throats of our fine state’s motorists. In his perspective on auto insurance (“No-Fault: a Safe Way to Save,” Commentary, Oct. 1), John Garamendi appears to have changed horses while in midstream. You may recall in his election campaign, he swore to make the insurance companies adhere to the guidelines set forth in Proposition 103. Now, when he realizes this mission is much tougher than previously thought, he appears to have sold us out.

In his column, Garamendi stated, “The people responded in 1988 by taking matters into their own hands and voting for Proposition 103.” Evidently, Garamendi does not recall that in that same election the people voted down Proposition 104, the no-fault initiative backed by the insurance industry. How long must we go on having this no-fault program thrown in our faces after we have already said no?

In conclusion, Garamendi states that 30% of Californians are driving without insurance, due to its high costs. If California had a viable way of forcing everyone to get insured, such as proof of insurance when registering our vehicle, the added premium dollars taken in by the insurance companies would allow all rates for motorists to be lowered substantially. And everyone could then afford to purchase insurance, plain and simple.

JOHN W. ZIMMERMAN

Moreno Valley