Carteret County commissioners encourage residents to voice concerns over proposed homeowners’ insurance rate increase

CARTERET COUNTY — The Carteret County Board of Commissioners is urging all residents to participate in an upcoming public comment forum on Jan. 22 in Raleigh regarding a proposed homeowners' insurance rate increases. Comments can also be made virtually, via email or in writing.

The North Carolina Rate Bureau (NCRB) recently filed a request with the North Carolina Department of Insurance (NCODI) for an average statewide increase of 42.2%, with Carteret County facing as high as 99.4%.

"In light of the proposed homeowners' insurance rate increase that could significantly impact families and businesses in our county, I urge every resident, from homeowners to renters to business owners, to learn about the proposal and actively participate in the public comment period," stated Carteret County Board of Commissioners Vice Chairman Mark Mansfield in a press release issued Jan. 16. "This presents an important opportunity for the public to voice concerns, share insights, and contribute to the decision-making process."

The public can voice their opinions during a public comment period. There are four ways to provide comments:

The public comment forum will take place at the North Carolina Department of Insurance's Jim Long Hearing Room on Jan. 22 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Jim Long Hearing Room is in the Albermarle Building, 325 N. Salisbury St., Raleigh, N.C. 27603.A virtual public comment forum will be held simultaneously and will be accessible. Go to carteretcountync.gov to find the link.Emailed public comments should be sent by Feb. 2 to [email protected] public comments must be addressed to 1201 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1201 and must be received by Kimberly W. Pearce, Paralegal III, by Feb. 2.

These proposed rate hikes would take effect on Aug. 1, 2024, if approved.