Resolution 040534

..Title Confirming the appointment of Lance Haver as Insurance Public Advocate. ..Body WHEREAS, Extremely high automobile insurance rates are a significant problem to Philadelphia's residents; and WHEREAS, Auto insurance rates for individuals who live in Philadelphia historically have been significantly higher than rates for individuals who live outside the City; and WHEREAS, Despite the legal protections for consumers set forth in federal, Commonwealth and Philadelphia law, consumers are often unable to find an appropriate means of redress for consumer abuse that occurs in the City; and WHEREAS, The residents of Philadelphia needed a staunch advocate dedicated to promoting and advancing their interests with regard to fair and authentic auto insurance rates; and WHEREAS, In 2003, the voters of Philadelphia supported an amendment to the Home Rule Charter that created the position of Insurance Public Advocate, charged with investigating insurance rate disparities affecting Philadelphia insurance consumers, investigating any unlawful practices in the Philadelphia insurance market, and pursuing all legal, political and economical remedies as appropriate; and WHEREAS, The Insurance Public Advocate is also charged with appearing as a party representing Philadelphia insurance consumers in administrative and judicial proceedings, including either intervening in or initiating litigation on behalf of Philadelphia insurance consumers through administrative rate challenges and/or private litigation, and can both initiate consumer education programs and rate-shopping guidelines tailored to Philadelphia insurance consumers and take or recommend action to stimulate insurance market competition in Philadelphia, with the goal of lowering premiums for Philadelphia insurance consumers; and WHEREAS, Lance Haver, who presently heads Philadelphia's Office of Consumer Affairs, is a long time consumer advocate, and who has spent his entire career working in the public interest and on behalf of consumers, serving first as a consumer advocate and then as the executive director of the Consumers Education and Protective Association (CEPA); and WHEREAS, Mayor John F. Street has appointed Lance Haver as the Insurance Public Advocate; and WHEREAS, Section 3-209 of the Home Rule Charter requires the advice and consent of a majority of all members of the Council for the appointment of the Insurance Public Advocate; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That Council hereby consents to and confirms the appointment of Lance Haver as Insurance Public Advocate. ..End