NC residents urged to give input on proposed homeowners’ insurance increases

Carteret County News-Times, The (Morehead City, NC)

EMERALD ISLE — Emerald Isle officials last week sent out a press release with information to help town residents fight proposed homeowners' insurance increases that range from 42.2% to 99% in Carteret County.

"If approved, this rate hike could significantly affect your insurance costs," the release states. "We understand this news is concerning, and it's crucial that we stay informed and actively engage in this process.

"Decisions like these are not final and public opinion can play a pivotal role. It's important for our voices to be heard. To facilitate this, we've compiled a list of contacts where you can express your views. The North Carolina Department of Insurance email contact will go directly to the officials who will vote on the rate increases.

North Carolina Department of Insurance

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 919-807-6014

Website: https://www.ncdoi.gov/news/press-releases/2024/01/05/insurance-companies-ask-422-rate-increase-homeowners-insurance

N.C. House of Representatives (District 13) – Celeste Cairns

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 919-733-6275

Address: 300 N. Salisbury Street, Rm. 602 Raleigh, NC 27603-5925

Senator Norman Sanderson

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 919-733-5706

Address: 300 N. Salisbury Street, Rm. 309 Raleigh, NC 27603-5925

Public Hearing Information

A public hearing is scheduled to discuss this matter. We strongly recommend attending if you're able:

A public comment forum will be held to listen to public input on the North Carolina Rate Bureau's rate increase request at the North Carolina Department of Insurance's Jim Long Hearing Room

Date: Jan. 22

Time: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Location: Jim Long Hearing Room is in the Albemarle Building, 325 N. Salisbury St., Raleigh, N.C. 27603.

A virtual public comment forum will be held simultaneously with the in-person forum on Jan. 22 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The link to this virtual forum will be: https://ncgov.webex.com/ncgov/j.phpMTID=mb3fe10c8f69bbedd2aaece485915db7e

Emailed public comments should be sent by Feb. 2 to: [email protected].

Written public comments must be received by Kimberly W. Pearce, Paralegal III, by Feb. 2 and addressed to 1201 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1201.

''We believe in the power of community action and hope that together, we can make a difference," the release states.