Woonsocket Radio News Room

 

 

Rep. Corvese introduces bill to prohibit auto insurers from using ZIP codes to determine premiums

 

STATE HOUSE – Rep. Arthur J. Corvese has introduced legislation to prohibit auto insurers from using ZIP codes as a factor in determining their customers’ rates.

The legislation (2025-H 5104) is intended to halt an inequitable practice that can be discriminatory and leads to higher insurance premiums for many of those who can least afford them.

“The ZIP code where a driver lives is not a valid measure of their risk to the insurance company. Using ZIP codes as a factor to increase premiums is a pretext to boost profit and it’s harmful to whole communities. In particular, it’s inequitable, targeting neighborhoods, cities and towns with lower incomes, serving as one more factor exacerbating income inequality,” said Representative Corvese (D-Dist. 55, North Providence). “Auto insurance is mandatory here in Rhode Island. As such, our state has a duty to make sure our citizens are not being subjected to inequitable pricing practices like this one.”

California has prohibited the use of ZIP codes to determine auto insurance premiums for more than 30 years, and Michigan has done so since 2020.

Representative Corvese also introduced the legislation last year. It was supported by both the Rhode Island Commission on Human Rights and the American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island.

A 2015 Consumer Federation of America study determined that nationwide, good drivers who lived in ZIP codes whose populations were predominately Black were charged more for auto insurance than those who lived in ZIP codes with mostly white populations.

The legislation was introduced Jan. 22, and was assigned to the House Corporations Committee. Its cosponsors include Rep. William W. O’Brien (D-Dist. 54, North Providence), Rep. Thomas A. Slater (D-Dist. 10, Providence), Rep. Rebecca Kislak (D-Dist. 4, Providence), Rep. Raymond A. Hull (D-Dist. 6, Providence, North Providence), Rep. Robert D. Phillips (D-Dist. 51, Woonsocket, Cumberland), Rep. Anthony J. DeSimone (D-Dist. 5, Providence), Rep. Jon D. Brien (D-Dist. 49, Woonsocket, North Smithfield), Rep. Nathan W. Biah Sr. (D-Dist. 3, Providence) and Rep. Cherie L. Cruz (D-Dist. 58, Pawtucket).

New documents pertaining to the John F. Kennedy assassination are now public. For more than 60 years, the November 22nd, 1963 shooting in Downtown Dallas has been a discussion topic among internet conspiracy theorists and historians alike. The National Archives published roughly 80-thousand pages on its website Tuesday.        A federal judge is temporarily blocking the implementation of a transgender military ban. Last month, President Trump signed an executive order banning transgender people from serving in the military. Now, a judge is barring Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other military officials from implementing that order.        NASA and Boeing aren't ready to give up on Starliner. NASA officials said yesterday they're working on issues that led to helium leaks in the capsule last year. The capsule was supposed to bring astronauts Suni [[ Sunny ]] Williams and Butch Wilmore home from the International Space Station. Instead, they ended up spending some nine months aboard the ISS before finally returning to Earth yesterday in a SpaceX capsule.        An outbreak of measles in West Texas is nearing 300 cases. The currently confirmed 279 cases is roughly the same number of cases that was seen nationally, all of last year. Statistics released by the Texas Department of Health and Human Services show the fastest growth continues to be in a rural community that has the lowest immunization rates in the state.        A member of the Tuskegee Airmen will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery today. Shelton "Ivan" Ware served as a weapons and vehicle maintenance technician with the Red Ball Express, a group of predominantly Black troops that helped supply Allied troops during World War Two. The Maryland resident was 101-years-old when he died in September.        A pair of schools are advancing to the First Round of the South Region in the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. Alabama State and North Carolina secured victories in the First Four from Dayton. The Hornets claimed the 16th seed and will battle number-one overall Auburn in round one, while the Tar Heels snagged the 11 seed and clash against number-six Ole Miss. The First Four wraps up today with Xavier-Texas and Mount St. Mary's-American.       

Old News Archives