* Warning: This is an unofficial, introductory copy of the bill.
The official copy considered by the City Council is the first reader copy.
Introductory*
City of Baltimore
Council Bill R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Stokes
A Resolution Entitled
A Council Resolution concerning
title
Request for State Action - Prohibiting the Use of Address in Creating Car Insurance Premiums
For the purpose of calling on the Maryland General Assembly to pass, and the Governor to sign, legislation prohibiting insurance companies from considering location as a factor impacting car insurance premiums.
body
Recitals
Whereas, In Maryland, insurance companies may consider a car insurance customer’s zip code or address when evaluating the risk of insuring the potential customer;
Whereas, Insurance companies generally consider customers who reside in urban areas as riskier to insure than individuals who reside in rural areas, and as a result Baltimore City residents are likely to have higher premiums than non-City residents;
Whereas, Over 60% of Baltimore City residents are Black, and car insurance companies are prohibited from using race as a factor in determining car insurance premiums;
Whereas, Analysis performed by ProPublica has found that residents of minority neighborhoods pay higher car insurance premiums than residents of white neighborhoods with the same risk, and the Consumer Federation of America, after reviewing quotes from the 5 largest insurers by zip code, found that major auto insurers charge good drivers who reside in minority neighborhoods 70% more than good drivers who reside in white neighborhoods;
Whereas, It i...
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