The sample was sorted by several demographic factors including area of residence, gender, age, education level, income, and whether the respondent had an uninsured vehicle in the household within the past five years. There were several statistically significant correlations between certain demographic groups and their characterization of certain penalties. A final report of the survey results is in progress and will be available in April 1998. Senate Bill 1015, prefiled on January 5th, establishes that auto insurance carriers may not reject an application for insurance or fail to renew a policy based in whole or in part on the applicant's or policyholder's credit history. This is different from the approach many other states have taken in that the Arizona bill prohibits companies from using credit history as a partial factor in the decision to reject an applicant or nonrenew a policy.
Some states prohibit companies from making such decisions based solely on the credit information.
House Bill 1031 was introduced December 11th and if passed would allow highway patrol officers to seize a driver's license if the driver cannot show proof of insurance. The action serves as a license suspension until the motorist can provide proof of insurance. A new law was enacted December 16th which requires insurers to adopt anti-fraud programs. It also requires companies to produce written procedures for pursuing fraud and to report persons suspected of committing insurance fraud. Recently introduced SB 819 would require insurers to provide applicants written notification of all potential causes for cancellation or non-renewal of the policy.