REPS. WATSON COLEMAN, TLAIB SEND LETTER TO FIO ADDRESSING AUTO INSURANCE AFFORDABILITY AND DISCRIMINATION

REPS. WATSON COLEMAN, TLAIB SEND LETTER TO FIO ADDRESSING AUTO INSURANCE AFFORDABILITY AND DISCRIMINATION

Washington, D.C. (June 24, 2026) - Today, Congresswomen Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) and Rashida Tlaib (MI-12) sent a letter to Federal Insurance Office (FIO) Director Steven E. Seitz, requesting that the FIO look into the factors contributing to unaffordability in the auto insurance market, including the role of proxy factors and pricing discrimination in affecting premiums and coverage.

Auto insurance is one of the only insurance products required in nearly all states; yet transparency regarding the underwriting factors and consumer information that determines auto insurance premiums is lacking. That lack of transparency is devastating for marginalized communities, as unaffordable premiums disproportionately impact minority drivers. Proxy discrimination, or the use of facially-neutral proxy variables that are strongly correlated with protected classes, perpetuates unjust outcomes in our financial system.

"Most Americans rely on a car in their daily life, and in the middle of an affordability crisis they should not have to worry about high auto insurance costs as well," said Congresswoman Watson Coleman. "Auto insurance is not a luxury, it's a necessity, and it should be priced as such. Americans should be able to afford auto insurance without breaking the bank, and without worrying about paying a higher cost due because of who they are."

"The high cost of auto insurance is making the affordability crisis even worse," said Congresswoman Tlaib. "The fact that our residents pay more based on factors that have nothing to do with their driving ability, like their credit score or home ownership status, is absurd-and it raises significant concerns about algorithmic discrimination. Our families deserve to pay affordable, fair, and transparent rates and we won't stop until they do."

"Drivers are struggling to pay premiums and afford coverage," said Michael DeLong, Research and Advocacy Associate with the Consumer Federation of America. "The Federal Insurance Office needs to collect detailed information on auto insurance costs, especially on how insurance companies charge higher premiums based on non-driving factors like your job, education level, or credit score."

Consumers deserve greater transparency regarding what information influences their premiums and coverage. Underwriters should not be allowed to use proxy factors strongly correlated with a protected status. In the letter, the Members called for a more detailed analysis into the influence of proxy factors, annual reporting by the FIO, and a data call to fully explore the influence of proxy discrimination across the auto insurance industry.

Read the letter here.