Attorney General changes ballot language on Prop. 17

Under pressure from consumer advocates who say an insurance initiative would raise rates for thousands of state drivers, Attorney General Jerry Brown's office has submitted new language to describe Proposition 17 on the June ballot.

Brown's new ballot title and summary now say the measure allows insurance companies to raise auto insurance premiums on drivers based on their coverage history, according to documents submitted to the secretary of state's office.

The changes came after The Chronicle reported that consumer advocate Harvey Rosenfield said the measure would allow Mercury Insurance Co. and other insurance companies to impose surcharges that are outlawed under Proposition 103, the 1988 landmark car insurance measure approved by voters. Under Prop. 103, insurance companies are barred from considering motorists' coverage history when they apply for insurance.

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