BOSTON -- Massachusetts drivers could see a $200 reduction in their automobile insurance premiums if Attorney General Thomas Reilly gets his way.

NewsCenter 5's Pam Cross reported that Reilly is asking for an 18 percent reduction in the state's auto insurance rates for next year. Reilly said the request is based on numbers crunched by his staff.

Reilly said auto insurance losses went down and industry investment income is up. Reilly is running for governor, but said that has nothing to do with his recommendation.

"This is based on the insurance companies' own information. They are pretending losses haven't gone down. They have gone down. It did happen. Drivers should get the benefit of that," Reilly said.

"I think insurance in this state is outrageous," said Jane Roberts of Boston.

The insurance companies want a cut of .01 percent, or about a dollar a policy. This is the first time the Automobile Insurers Bureau of Massachusetts has asked for a decrease.

"This the first time they have asked for a decrease -- a small one -- but it is going in the right direction," said Daniel Johnston, of the Automobile Insurers Bureau of Massachusetts. "Last year was a good year because the winter weather wasn't during rush hour and the industry had a good year. That doesn't mean we're going to have a good year next year," said

Massachusetts is the only state where regulators determine the rate. The state insurance commissioner decides on the rate by December.

"I don't necessarily believe what they're saying. I think they are making a nice penny with what they've got now," said Steve Bellmont of Lynnfield.