Calif. Commissioner Announces Appointment of CAARP Advisory Committee Member

California Insurance Commissioner Harry W. Low announced the appointment of Franklin Stephenson to the California Automobile Assigned Risk Plan (CAARP) Advisory Committee. The appointment is a one-and-a-half-year term that ends December 31, 2002.

Stephenson fills a position on the committee that represents the interests of consumers.

The CAARP Advisory Committee is a 15-member panel that advises the Commissioner on rates and other policy matters relating to California’s Assigned Risk automobile insurance program. CAARP was created by the State Legislature to assist individuals and businesses that are unable to buy auto insurance in the normal “voluntary” market by assigning them to insurers selling auto policies in the state. Insurers are required to issue Assigned Risk policies in proportion to their business in the voluntary market.

The CAARP Advisory Committee is composed of the Commissioner, six members who are appointed by the Commissioner and eight members elected by insurance companies. Two of the Commissioner’s appointees must be an insurance agent or broker and four members must represent the public or consumers.

Stephenson has been a Supervising Deputy District Attorney for the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office for the past seven years. His current responsibilities include supervising the Insurance Fraud Units for the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office. These units investigate and prosecute all forms of insurance fraud. Stephenson is the President-elect for the San Joaquin County Bar Association and serves on three of the Association’s committees. Additionally, he also serves on the Board of Directors for the Better Business Bureau and for the Mary Graham Children’s Shelter Foundation, as well as an Advisory Board member for Crime Victims United of California.

Stephenson received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Public Law from Claremont Men’s College. He has a Juris Doctor Degree from Humphrey’s College School of Law. Prior to joining the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office, Stephenson practiced law at Rishwain, Hakeem and Ellis for five years.

Topics California