As the pandemic persists, its public health and economic impacts continue to push driving levels below normal and auto accident frequency well below whatever was anticipated in the rate plans of insurance companies. The most recent evidence of this appears in Progressive Insurance’s August Financial Results, in which the nation’s third largest insurer reported a 177% increase in monthly profits over August 2019.

Therefore Commissioners of Insurance, who are charged with ensuring rates are not excessive, need to direct insurers to provide the appropriate premium relief for the period from mid-March through the present to personal auto insurance policyholders and to continue to provide premium relief into the future as long as the pandemic depresses vehicle miles traveled and claims.