NC lawmakers examine easing coastal insurance rate

RALEIGH -- 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. (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)