Governor Bentley created the "affordable homeowners insurance commission" to come up with reasonable ways to change insurance prices.

One way might be the possible clarity bill. But tonight the commission wanted to hear homeowners' thoughts.

"And us citizens are trying to figure out why there are such differences in premiums"

Many wonder if the price of homeowners insurance will ever become more affordable.
Right now they're worried they won't be able to pay premiums if the price continues to climb...especially in coastal areas.

"The statewide averages is about eight hundred and fifty four dollars and that includes everything, liability, fire, wind and hail...plus a modest deductible of around five hundred dollars....well my premiums are three thousand one hundred dollars and my deductible is seven thousand dollars." Representative of Homeowners Insurance Initiative Michelle Kurtz said.

Those groups included insurance companies.
Agents say the business is highly regulated and needs to have competitive rates to stay in business.
They believe homeowners have to expect higher rates if they are in an area of higher risk.

"Areas that are more susceptible to catastrophes and particularly coastal areas are typically going to pay a higher premium based on expected losses and historical losses." Jack Brunson with the National Security Fire and Casualty Company said.

Michelle Kurtz is hoping to get this clarity bill passed.
The whole point of it is so home owners can compare premiums.

"We would ask aggregate data over the last ten years of the number of policies, dollar amounts of premiums coming in, the dollar amount of claims going out, so we can see the ratios throughout the state." Kurtz said.

Many are grateful Governor Bentley is so committed to improving homeowners insurance in Alabama.
They also believe going statewide to hear citizens concerns is a step in the right direction.