5 Key Takeaways: Major Insurer's Homeowners Rate Hike a Signal of Things To Come
Briefly

State Farm increased homeowners insurance rates by 27.2% in Illinois, leading to an average annual increase of $746. The company cites climate-related losses and rising construction costs as reasons for this necessary adjustment to maintain financial stability. In contrast, Illinois governor and lawmakers criticize the rate hike as unfair, accusing State Farm of making residents subsidize disaster losses from other states. The lack of a meaningful rate review process in Illinois allows insurers to raise premiums freely, which has spurred calls for increased regulatory oversight and reforms to better protect consumers. Proposed legislative measures aim to establish a rate review system and promote risk mitigation strategies.
State Farm has announced a significant increase in homeowners insurance rates by 27.2% for policyholders in Illinois, raising the average annual cost by $746. This increase is justified by the company as necessary to address climate-related losses and the rising costs of construction.
The increase has prompted strong reactions from Illinois lawmakers and the governor, who label the rate hike as unfair. They criticize State Farm for potentially forcing Illinois policyholders to bear the financial burdens of disaster losses incurred in other states.
Illinois currently lacks a strong rate review process for homeowners insurance, enabling insurance companies to raise premiums without adequate regulatory oversight. This situation has fostered calls for reforms that would provide necessary consumer protections and oversight.
Legislative initiatives are being proposed to create a formal rate review system for insurers, ensure transparency regarding premium changes, and encourage community efforts in disaster risk reduction as a means to address rising insurance costs.
Read at SFGATE
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