The State : Insurers Put Sales on Hold

Two more insurance companies announced they are suspending sales of auto and other insurance in California pending the outcome of the insurance initiatives’ campaign. National Indemnity Insurance Co., predicting that Proposition 103 will pass and would make it impossible for the firm to do business in the state, asked its agents not to write any new auto or commercial policies or to renew any existing policies effective Election Day. The company wrote $29.8 million in premiums last year. Pacific National Insurance Co., which wrote $26.5 million in premiums last year, said it will not sell any new personal auto, homeowners, fire or inland marine policies effective Nov. 1, but said it will continue to renew existing policies. Five companies in the last two weeks have announced they are at least suspending sales of new business on or before the election.