The Insurance Public Advocate shall have the power and its duty shall be to perform the following functions:
(a) Represent the interests of Philadelphia insurance consumers.
(b) Investigate insurance rate disparities affecting Philadelphia insurance consumers, investigate any unlawful practices in the Philadelphia insurance market, and pursue all legal, political and economic remedies as appropriate.
(c) Appear as a party representing Philadelphia insurance consumers in administrative and judicial proceedings, including either intervening in or initiating litigation on behalf of Philadelphia insurance consumers through administrative rate challenges and/or private litigation. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Charter to the contrary, the Insurance Public Advocate may, at the Insurance Public Advocate's discretion, and subject to the availability of appropriations, use the services of the Law Department or the services of attorneys who are appointed to the office of the Insurance Public Advocate pursuant to subsection 4-1000(g), or retain the services of private counsel, to represent the Insurance Public Advocate in such matters. 170
(d) Initiate consumer education programs and rate-shopping guidelines tailored to Philadelphia insurance consumers.
(e) Take or recommend action to stimulate insurance market competition in Philadelphia, with the goal of lowering premiums for Philadelphia insurance consumers.
(f) Lobby for an insurance consumer Bill of Rights, and lobby for other legislative and administrative reform on behalf of Philadelphia insurance consumers.
(g) Appoint and fix the compensation of such employees as may be required for the proper conduct of the work of the office of the Insurance Public Advocate. The number and compensation of such employees shall not be subject to the approval of any other officer.
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Notes
| 169 | Enrolled resolution numbered this as Section 4-900
; renumbered by Code editor. |
| 170 | The phrase "at his or her discretion" was changed by the Code editor to read "at the Insurance Public Advocate's discretion" to be gender neutral consistent with the broad Charter change set forth in the May 17, 2022 referendum. See Bill No. 220001 (approved February 25, 2022); Resolution No. 220009 (adopted February 24, 2022). |