Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias has launched a statewide advocacy campaign aimed at preventing insurance companies from using socio-economic data – such as credit scores, zip codes and age – to charge Illinoisans higher auto insurance rates.

Illinois-focused studies have revealed ratemaking inequities and disparities, including insurers on average increasing rates for senior drivers and charging consumers with a safe driving record and poor credit hundreds of dollars more than someone with a DUI conviction and excellent credit. As a result, drivers from disadvantaged neighborhoods and communities of color disproportionately suffer.

Like most states, Illinois requires every vehicle owner to buy insurance, but it is one of only two states – along with Wyoming – that doesn’t require prior rate review to protect insurance customers from excessive or unfair rates.

If the purpose of auto insurance is to protect Illinois’ 8.5 million motorists, it only makes sense that the driving record should be the primary factor for setting a driver’s rates.

Your help is needed in the fight to prohibit insurance companies from using discriminatory socio-economic factors to determine auto insurance premiums.