NC lawmakers examine easing coastal insurance rate

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP)—North Carolina coastal homeowners saddled this spring with huge increases in their insurance premiums, deductibles and surcharges are seeking help from state lawmakers.

A state Senate committee on Tuesday considers a bill that would temporarily freeze the increased insurance costs. Residents along the North Carolina coast are facing homeowners insurance premium increases of up to 30 percent.

Also Tuesday, a House judiciary committee will consider a bill that would stop any surpluses collected by the state-backed insurance pool called the Beach Plan from being distributed back to the insurance companies that paid into the fund.

Behind closed doors, legislative leaders are crafting a deal between coastal interests and the insurance industry.