[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992-1993, Book II)]
[October 16, 1992]
[Pages 1848-1849]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



White House Fact Sheet: Consumer Choice in Auto Insurance
October 16, 1992

    President Bush announced a proposal today that would allow consumers 
to save 20 to 30 percent on their auto insurance premiums, for a 
potential nationwide savings of $20 to $30 billion annually. These 
savings would be achieved by giving consumers the opportunity to waive 
their right to sue for pain and suffering damages (thereby also 
insulating themselves against lawsuits for such damages) and to elect 
insurance coverage payable by their own insurer regardless of fault.

The Problem

    The current auto insurance system is a source of consumer outrage. 
Insurance premiums, now more than $1,000 per car in many areas, grew at 
almost 3 times the rate of inflation in the 1980's, forcing many lower 
income Americans to drive uninsured.
    A root cause for escalating rates is the pain and suffering 
component of tort awards. Nationwide, coverage for pain and suffering 
awards constitute 15 percent of insurance costs, while litigation costs 
(which are driven largely by the prospect of pain and suffering awards) 
account for another 10 percent.
    There are other wasteful costs as well under the current system, 
such as incentives to inflate medical costs. In particular, a recent 
study by the Insurance Research Council showed that people involved in

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auto accidents obtain more expensive medical treatment if they file a 
claim against the other driver than if they collect from their own 
insurer, regardless of fault.
    If there were fewer lawsuits for pain and suffering, overall auto 
insurance rates could drop sharply. Under current law, however, 
consumers cannot purchase auto insurance that omits coverage for pain 
and suffering.

The Solution

    The President stated that on the first day of the next session of 
Congress, he will submit legislation proposing a Federal statute to 
permit purchasers of automobile insurance to opt out of pain and 
suffering claims.
    Under the President's proposal:
    Consumers would be allowed to waive their right to sue for 
            noneconomic (i.e., pain and suffering) damages. In return, 
            they would be insulated from noneconomic damage claims by 
            other motorists.
    Those electing to waive the right to sue for noneconomic 
            damages would purchase personal insurance protection 
            coverage, under which they would collect economic damages 
            without regard to fault from their own insurer instead of 
            suing other motorists. This would largely eliminate 
            litigation costs and avoid the lengthy payment delays 
            (usually 18 months or more) that are common under the 
            current system.
    Those motorists not waiving this right would retain their 
            coverage under the tort liability system. They would 
            purchase coverage from their own insurer to cover all 
            damages (for both economic and noneconomic losses) 
            negligently caused by drivers who elect the personal 
            insurance protection plan.
    All motorists would retain the right to sue for pain and 
            suffering caused by intoxicated or criminally negligent 
            drivers.
    All motorists would also be able to sue for all economic 
            damages based on fault in excess of their own insurance 
            coverage.

The Benefits of the President's Proposal

    Although the proposal would benefit all motorists, the greatest cost 
benefits would go to consumers in high-premium areas, and especially to 
poor inner-city residents, many of whom now drive illegally without 
insurance. This proposal presents a sharp contrast to the nonmarket 
approaches preferred by the Democrats, such as mandatory rollbacks, 
surcharges on insurers, and rigid rate regulation, which try to force 
businesses to engage in losing ventures. This proposal also reinforces 
the President's call for legal reform and makes clear that consumer 
empowerment and choice is the key to better insurance.