CA proposition 17 is not a good idea.

In the Los Angeles Times, February 17, 2010, reporter Steve Lopez attempts to provide some meaningful understanding into the Proposition 17 campaign sponsored by Mercury Insurance in California. The proposition allegedly is designed to allow drivers with continued coverage to gain a premium discount. While current law allows those of us who always have insurance to get a loyalty discount, it does not allow a company to discount a new client for long time loyalty to another company. So the argument goes, why not approve such a simple concept. Let me provide the viewpoint as a consumer in California that has always purchased insurance, and also a California auto accident lawyer.
First, don't ever go to bed with the person that has already been cheating on everyone else they touch. You will not find a silver lining from Mercury Insurance.  It has a deplorable record of abuse to other claimants, other insurance companies, adjusters and their own insureds. Check out the many complaints filed with the department of insurance, which of course is a useless body of enforcement for consumer complaints.
Second, it is not surprising that Mercury's leader is "one of the most wealthy in the state." It is on the backs of his own insured drivers that he has collected premiums. Mercury aggressively delays, argues non-viable claims and refuses to offer reasonable settlement to THEIR OWN INSUREDS, and on this backdrop, Mercury makes lots of money.
Third, ask why Mercury and no other carrier wants this proposition to pass? Mercury would love to steal your long time business discount from a more responsible carrier, get those premiums and then when you need to make a claim, shaft you. Mercury’s reputation would remain in tact for a while longer before word is out.
Lastly, I have enough problems paying my insurance. I have no accidents, tickets and claims and pay like every one else does. Mercury's passage of Proposition 17 will make insurance less affordable to those that are barely paying the minimum. Therefore, I will have to pay more in the long run.
This horse has been on the sale block before, and proposition 17 simply means a new way to gain premium dollars while giving absolutely poor service to your insureds and those your insureds’ injure.