Speak out against proposed insurance rate hike

Brunswick County may be poised to take another hit in an already difficult economy.
Recently, we learned our unemployment rate remained higher than 10 percent. We anticipate that number will remain near the same—or possibly increase—now that our busy tourist season is over.
Foreclosure rates are high, and many of those who still own their homes find them valued significantly less than what they paid for them. Although some recent studies indicate home sales prices are improving, the cost for owning a home here in coastal Brunswick County continues to increase.
Last week officials with the North Carolina Rate Bureau announced it was seeking a 30 percent homeowners’ insurance rate hike for territory 8, which includes Brunswick County. In other parts of the state, the proposed rate is 17.7 percent.
Many local agencies and average homeowners are speaking out about the increase, and so are we. We don’t understand the justification for an increase as great as this one, especially citing the lack of major storm damage in our county in recent years.
Instead of sitting idly by and waiting to see what the rate bureau and North Carolina Department of Insurance agree upon, we urge you to get involved with this important decision that affects each and every one of us. Speak out against these rate increases.
NCDOI will accept public comments from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 17, in the Jim Long Hearing Room of the Dobbs Building, 430 N. Salisbury St., Raleigh.
Written public comments can be mailed to: NCDOI, Attn: Bob Mack, Property & Casualty Division, 1201 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1201; or emailed to 2012homeowners@ncdoi.gov.
The deadline for submitting written comments is Oct. 19.
We also urge you to contact Rep. Frank Iler and Sen. Bill Rabon and urge them to do all they can to fight against this increase. You can find contact information for phone, email and regular mail for both online at http://www.ncleg.net/representation/WhoRepresentsMe.html.
Don’t sit by and wait to see what happens. Get involved in government. Speak out and get involved.