Nader Aide Quits, Endorses No-Fault

In what could be a significant break in opposition to no-fault auto insurance in the state, the director of consumer advocate Ralph Nader’s Public Citizen organization in California, Michael Johnson, resigned Tuesday and endorsed no-fault.

Johnson released a letter to Nader, a longtime foe of no-fault, in which he concluded “that our rigid opposition to no-fault runs counter to honest insurance reform and citizen empowerment.”

Johnson also wrote that pain and suffering damage awards for minor traffic accidents were leading to higher insurance prices than the public is willing to accept.

Johnson said he plans to testify in favor of no-fault at a Sacramento legislative hearing Thursday. Nader could not be reached for comment.