A package of equity legislation proposed Monday by Gov. Jay Inslee includes a bill introduced by Sen. Mona Das, D-Kent, to prohibit auto, homeowner, renter and boat insurers from basing a person’s insurance rate on their credit score.
Senate Bill 5010, sponsored by Das at the request of the state Office of the Insurance Commissioner, would prohibit the insurance industry from using an individual’s credit score to determine what that person’s insurance rate should be, according to a state Senate Democrats news release.
“I’m thrilled to help champion a powerful policy of equity and justice, and I’m thankful to Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler for his years-long commitment to this work and to Gov. Inslee for amplifying this legislation,” Das said in the news release. “We are in the middle of a pandemic that has upended lives, jobs and our entire state’s economy. This summer also demonstrated in communities around the country that we need to do a better job addressing racial inequity in our systems. It’s time to take action, and this bill is a step toward progress.”
SB 5010 was pre-filed for introduction on Dec. 10. It will be referred to a committee once the Legislature convenes for the 2021 legislative session Jan. 11.
“This policy is one good tool to help ease a financial burden for all Washingtonians and address the disproportionate impact that credit scoring has on Black communities, Indigenous communities and other communities of color,” Das said.
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