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Insurance rep. a no-show at Realtors meeting
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TOPSAIL VOICE
By Amanda Hutcheson
WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH – Realtors who gathered at Wrightsville Beach Friday morning were left without answers to their questions about insurance rate increases when a representative from the NC Department of Insurance did not show, citing a lawsuit filed by Dare County.
Rose Williams, the Legislative Counsel for the Department, had been the expected guest speaker. Williams cancelled her appearance at the meeting when the lawsuit, which claims that the department made decisions about rates with no public input, was filed.
“The news is not bad news,” said Kathleen Riely, Governmental Affairs Director for the Wilmington Regional Association of Realtors, the group which hosted the meeting. “I’m disappointed the department of insurance, instead of coming down and discussing it, didn’t come at all. You know what you can and cannot say. Someone should have come down and answered questions.”
“We are all going to have to come together as one voice,” she added. “We have to make a little noise.”
The lawsuit requests a hearing before the Appeals Committee of the North Carolina Insurance Underwriting Association (“Beach Plan”) and the North Carolina Joint Underwriting Association (“FAIR Plan”) regarding “increases in surcharges, rates, and deductibles to the Beach Plan and the FAIR Plan, upon which the Commissioner of Insurance and the North Carolina Department of Insurance issued decisions approving increases in deductibles and surcharges on 21 November 2008 without a hearing.”
Those increases came after claims from the Beach Plan and the FAIR Plan that they could not afford to insure anymore, said Riely.
“If they don’t have the money, why are other areas getting a decrease?” she said. “When I first started this position, I was told, ‘One of the things you will find is that we are the red-headed stepchild on the coast.’ Hurricanes, wind and hail can hit the whole state. If they can’t afford to cover it, why are they lowering rates in other states?”
“One thing I hear is why should someone from Boone pay your cost on the beach? Ask anyone in municipal government on the coast where do all the homeowners really live.”
Mayor Montgomery added that his town had recently mailed water bills to residents in 33 states.
“The economic input of what happens on the coast affects the entire state, Cary, Charlotte, you name it,” he added. “It affects the entire state, the whole country.”
The lawsuit centers on the lack of a hearing or other avenue for public input, something which Brunswick County Commissioner John Martin (Marty) Cooke, Jr. did not agree with.
“We have to get back to accountability,” Cooke said. “If I raise your taxes, I’m held accountable. As an individual, we have to be responsible.”
When asked how the lawsuit might impact insurance rates until it was settled, Riely answered, “There is a possibility of a backlash. Is it likelihood? I don’t know. They didn’t expect a lawsuit. They’re up there spinning as well.”
April McDavid, president of the Wilmington Regional Association of Realtors, said she thought the meeting gave voice to the opinions of many, despite the lack of officials from the Department of Insurance to answer questions.
“I think it’s voicing the opinions of not just realtors but residents of coastal North Carolina,” McDavid said. “(The Department of Insurance) could have at least had a representative. It has to be more of a compromise for areas around the state. It has to be more fair around the state.”
Two Hampstead realtors said they were pleased with the information they received at Friday’s meeting despite the last minute changes.
“Even though representatives didn’t come from the Department of Insurance, this was very informative. It’s not just the coast; anyone can get hit,” said Barbara Earley with Exit Realty in Hampstead.
“I thought it was wonderful that they continued to hold it, that the board had representatives there to address questions,” said Karla Palmer, also with Exit Realty in Hampstead. “I’m glad to see everyone rallying to come up with a collective voice. This affects everyone.”
“It makes me confident we have the right people representing us,” she added.
Rose Williams, the Legislative Counsel for the Department, had been the expected guest speaker. Williams cancelled her appearance at the meeting when the lawsuit, which claims that the department made decisions about rates with no public input, was filed.
“The news is not bad news,” said Kathleen Riely, Governmental Affairs Director for the Wilmington Regional Association of Realtors, the group which hosted the meeting. “I’m disappointed the department of insurance, instead of coming down and discussing it, didn’t come at all. You know what you can and cannot say. Someone should have come down and answered questions.”
“We are all going to have to come together as one voice,” she added. “We have to make a little noise.”
The lawsuit requests a hearing before the Appeals Committee of the North Carolina Insurance Underwriting Association (“Beach Plan”) and the North Carolina Joint Underwriting Association (“FAIR Plan”) regarding “increases in surcharges, rates, and deductibles to the Beach Plan and the FAIR Plan, upon which the Commissioner of Insurance and the North Carolina Department of Insurance issued decisions approving increases in deductibles and surcharges on 21 November 2008 without a hearing.”
Those increases came after claims from the Beach Plan and the FAIR Plan that they could not afford to insure anymore, said Riely.
“If they don’t have the money, why are other areas getting a decrease?” she said. “When I first started this position, I was told, ‘One of the things you will find is that we are the red-headed stepchild on the coast.’ Hurricanes, wind and hail can hit the whole state. If they can’t afford to cover it, why are they lowering rates in other states?”
“One thing I hear is why should someone from Boone pay your cost on the beach? Ask anyone in municipal government on the coast where do all the homeowners really live.”
Mayor Montgomery added that his town had recently mailed water bills to residents in 33 states.
“The economic input of what happens on the coast affects the entire state, Cary, Charlotte, you name it,” he added. “It affects the entire state, the whole country.”
The lawsuit centers on the lack of a hearing or other avenue for public input, something which Brunswick County Commissioner John Martin (Marty) Cooke, Jr. did not agree with.
“We have to get back to accountability,” Cooke said. “If I raise your taxes, I’m held accountable. As an individual, we have to be responsible.”
When asked how the lawsuit might impact insurance rates until it was settled, Riely answered, “There is a possibility of a backlash. Is it likelihood? I don’t know. They didn’t expect a lawsuit. They’re up there spinning as well.”
April McDavid, president of the Wilmington Regional Association of Realtors, said she thought the meeting gave voice to the opinions of many, despite the lack of officials from the Department of Insurance to answer questions.
“I think it’s voicing the opinions of not just realtors but residents of coastal North Carolina,” McDavid said. “(The Department of Insurance) could have at least had a representative. It has to be more of a compromise for areas around the state. It has to be more fair around the state.”
Two Hampstead realtors said they were pleased with the information they received at Friday’s meeting despite the last minute changes.
“Even though representatives didn’t come from the Department of Insurance, this was very informative. It’s not just the coast; anyone can get hit,” said Barbara Earley with Exit Realty in Hampstead.
“I thought it was wonderful that they continued to hold it, that the board had representatives there to address questions,” said Karla Palmer, also with Exit Realty in Hampstead. “I’m glad to see everyone rallying to come up with a collective voice. This affects everyone.”
“It makes me confident we have the right people representing us,” she added.
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