Auto insurance appraisals

Re “Insurers’ System for Rates Varies,” Jan. 16

It would seem to me that while pleasing to the ear, the statement that a driver with a spotless record in West L.A. should not have to pay more to insure his car than a spotless driver in Visalia is somewhat analogous to my arguing that at 65 I should not have to pay more for term life insurance than a 25-year-old because neither one of us has died yet.

RICHARD BRUNING

Woodland Hills

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Voters should have little difficulty in deciding which perspective favors the consumer, the 1988 auto insurance ballot initiative Proposition 103, backed by consumer groups, or Mercury General Chairman George Joseph’s steps toward qualifying a ballot measure to rewrite Proposition 103.

JOHN CHEVEDDEN

Redondo Beach

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Your story made me realize how flawed the auto insurance system is. I’m a lousy driver, yet I live in a posh suburb. My insurance rates through Mercury are probably low compared to pristine L.A. drivers. Ratings should be fair across the board. Proposition 103 was passed by the voters nearly 20 years ago and should have been implemented by now. Legal delays like this make a mockery of the proposition system.

VALERIE HERMAN-RODRIGUEZ

Westlake Village