SACRAMENTO, Calif., Nov. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Proposition 33 will extend lower auto insurance rates to college students and young adult drivers – living at home with their parents or using their parents' home as their official residence, the Yes On Prop 33 campaign announced.

"Today, young people are not eligible for the same discount as their parents," said Rachel Hooper, spokeswoman for the Yes on Prop 33 campaign.

This initiative is supported by the leading consumer group The Greenlining Institute and public safety organizations.  

"The goal when writing this initiative was to be inclusive – to make it easier for more Californians to have mandatory car insurance, and to reward those being responsible with a new discount. It is a huge benefit that college students and adult children living at home will receive the same discount available to their parents," said Hooper.

Proposition 33 allows drivers to switch insurance companies and keep their continuous coverage discount. This gives the consumer control and forces insurance companies to compete harder, lowering prices and insuring more Californians. Children living with their parents, or returning home from college or elsewhere, also would be able to receive this same discount available to their parents.  

"These provisions protect the continuous coverage history of those who suffered from the economic downturn and young drivers on the cusp of leaving home," said Hooper. 

In addition to college students and families, Prop 33 has attracted a wide range of other support, including California law enforcement, firefighters, major veterans' groups, leaders of both political parties, ethnic organizations and chambers of commerce. Supporters are drawn to the fact that Prop 33:

• Lowers auto insurance rates
• Means more insured drivers and safer streets.
• Restores consumer choice.
• Preserves state regulatory oversight of rates.
• Protects military personnel and others whose policies have lapsed due to unemployment, illness or other factors. 

When California had a law similar to Proposition 33 from 1996-2002, the number of uninsured motorists dropped by almost half.

"Californians deserve a reward for being responsible and purchasing car insurance," said Hooper. "Proposition 33 lets them shop around their discount for a better deal and lower rates."

Proposition 33 also makes sense for veterans and other individuals who once had insurance, but were forced to let it lapse for a range of personal reasons. In contrast to the present system, many more people will be protected under Proposition 33, including: people who have been laid off or furloughed for up to 18 months and those who need a break in payment for 90 days for any reason.

For many reasons, Prop 33 has attracted a wide range of other support, including from California highway patrol officers, firefighters, major veterans' groups, leaders from both parties, ethnic organizations, chambers of commerce and consumer groups:

• Prop. 33 means more insured drivers and safer streets.
• Prop. 33 preserves regulatory oversight of rates.
• Prop. 33 restores consumer choice.
• Prop. 33 protects people whose policies have lapsed due to unemployment, illness or other factors. 
• Prop 33 helps Californians in the military. 

"By voting yes on Proposition 33, Californians will be demonstrating not just a commitment to all consumers, but especially the needs of those college students who are trying to balance the costs that come with higher education," said Hooper.

Read Proposition 33 at www.YESProp33.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/yesprop33 and on Twitter @yesprop33.

SOURCE Proposition 33