Affordable Car Insurance

Re “Auto Insurance--New Law Highlights the Price Issue,” editorial, Jan. 7:

I couldn’t agree more with your comment that California needs more affordable auto insurance and more insured drivers. However, the only proven way to make auto insurance more affordable to low-income, uninsured drivers is to attack the catalyst of cost: unwarranted litigation and fraud. California has made significant progress in dealing with auto insurance fraud. Now it’s time for the state Legislature to pass a viable no-fault system to eliminate the unnecessary litigation and pass those savings on to the consumer.

GARY JAFFE

Manhattan Beach

* Contrary to what your editorial said, auto liability insurance that meets the state requirements is available in South-Central Los Angeles to a 19-year-old male driver for $1,386--one car, clean driving record. With the worst possible record, the cost is $2,496. These are annual rates throughout the state.

This insurance is readily available through the California Automobile Assigned Risk Plan.

RICHARD A. PETERS

San Marino

* It seems to me that the only reasonable approach to funding auto insurance is a surcharge on gasoline. Yes, I have heard all the horror stories about government mismanagement and the potential for diverting funds to other uses. Diversion of funds can be prevented and government mismanagement pales in comparison to the inequities in charging essentially the same price for insuring a car that is driven 5,000 miles per year and one that is driven 50,000 miles per year.

I suggest this for liability insurance only. Those who desire full coverage can buy it. Full coverage makes little sense for a vehicle that is more than three or four years old.

W.J. STONE

Ridgecrest