Issue Position: Insurance

Issue Position

Those of us living along the gulf coast are in the midst of a housing insurance crisis. Since Hurricane Katrina, rates for protecting the places and things we love have continued to climb until they are unaffordable to many people. These unsustainable rates are stifling housing sales and pushing some current homeowners into foreclosure. It has been almost six years since Hurricane Katrina, and nothing has been done to address the problem. However, there are a number of workable angles from which this problem can be attacked. We must increase competition among insurance companies doing business along the coast, thereby, spreading the risk across a larger population We must establish incentive for homeowners, on new construction and refurbishments, to build to higher standards. There must also be incentives for local governments to strengthen building codes. No unfunded mandates, I am also proposing a two year tax credit to homeowners whose flood insurance rates have increased.

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