When North Carolina’s insurance industry requested the state approve another round of homeowner rate increases, the man with the final say said he was “appalled.”
Wayne Goodwin, the state’s insurance commissioner, had urged the private industry to withdraw its latest request “immediately,” noting the last round of increases hit just six months ago.
But at a meeting of New Hanover County’s coastal leaders Friday at Kure Beach, heads nodded at the contention that Goodwin hasn’t stood up as such for the coast, which has consistently received the state’s highest rate increases.
“The only reason you’ve seen Wayne Goodwin … come out swinging at the Rate Bureau right now over this recent [proposed] increase, is because it affects the Piedmont and the western part of the state” as well, N.C. Rep. Susi Hamilton (D-18) said.
The request for increases from the N.C. Rate Bureau, which is separate from the N.C. Department of Insurance (DOI) and represents the state’s private insurance industry, came Jan. 3. It requested Goodwin approve homeowner rate changes statewide, effective Aug. 1.
The Cape Fear coast is eyed for 35 percent increases–which would be the state’s highest–although farther-inland parts of New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender counties are marked for 2.7 percent decreases.
The coast, viewed as most vulnerable to Atlantic storm damage, has experienced the highest increases over the years.
But in a change this time from the Rate Bureau’s past cases, plenty of central and western North Carolina areas–including populous Wake County–are also marked for 30-plus percent increases.
That may soften arguments that the insurance industry singles out the coast (as beach-area legislators point to higher amounts of claims inland) but officials here remain staunchly opposed to the case all the same.
Hamilton, seated with officials from all three New Hanover County beach towns and fellow area lawmakers Friday, noted Goodwin hasn’t been as vocal in past rate cases that were indeed most burdensome to the coast.
“Every time we’ve approached him when it’s been our issue, he won’t talk to us,” Hamilton said.
But Goodwin’s office, when asked to comment, offered a different perspective.
“He represents everybody in North Carolina, and takes a lot of pride in that, and does care about every policyholder in North Carolina,” DOI Public Information Director Kerry Hall, speaking on Goodwin’s behalf, said Friday afternoon.
She noted Goodwin’s recent comments against the Rate Bureau’s filing were unusual. When he decried the bureau’s timing and asked that the case be withdrawn right away, “That’s a lot for him to be saying. In the past, he’s been completely silent once we got a filing.”
That’s because if it goes to a hearing, the insurance commissioner is supposed to be the impartial hearing officer.
At this point, Goodwin will not be commenting further on the case, Hall said.
But generally, she added, the commissioner “works very hard to listen to people from all over the state” and encourages public participation as this rate case progresses.
A daylong public hearing is just ahead. It’s scheduled for Friday, Jan. 24, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. in the Jim Long Hearing Room of the Dobbs Building at 430 N. Salisbury St., Raleigh.
In the meantime, until Jan. 31, anyone can submit written comments. They can be mailed to NCDOI, Attn: Bob Mack, Property & Casualty Division, 1201 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1201, or emailed to [email protected].
Before discussion shifted Friday at Kure Beach, Sen. Thom Goolsby (R-9) said the coast needs a strong showing, and that it may come down to a coast-based insurance commissioner before the big picture changes.
“Because, I will assure you, people in Raleigh, in the Piedmont and mountains and all, they will screw us every chance they get,” he said, “and they do.”
Past stories from Port City Daily:
Area groups plot opposition to proposed insurance hikes
Insurance-rate ‘fairness’ a goal of bills in legislature
Insurance rates climb; coastal officials still fighting for reform
Commissioner: Insurance request ‘unfairly discriminatory’
Officials head to Raleigh to opposed insurance hikes
Town boards oppose homeowner insurance hikes
Ben Brown is a news reporter at Port City Daily. Reach him at [email protected] or (910) 772-6335. On Twitter: @benbrownmedia
