MS Coast Resident will file a Homeowner Insurance Bill of Rights in 2009 Legislative Session
For More Information
Contact: Kevin Buckel 228-343-2245
msinsurancebill@cableone.net
A Long Beach resident who lost his home in Katrina, only to be paid $1000 on his homeowner’s insurance claim, will file a Homeowners Insurance Bill of Rights (BOR) for the 3rd time. Sponsored by Rep. Janus and Rep. Peranich, the BOR is modeled after the Texas BOR which gives all homeowners basic understandable rights when buying insurance or filing a claim.
Coast resident Kevin Buckel has asked Commissioner Chaney to support such legislation, but he has refused. Buckel also asked Commissioner Chaney to form a committee to study and research a BOR for homeowners before the 2009 session, but Chaney never replied to his numerous requests.
According the Insurance Information Institute, the average homeowner claim amount paid in Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina is $15,422 per claim. Buckel said these claim numbers are undisputed because they were confirmed by the Insurance Services Office (ISO). However, when presented to Commissioner Chaney to confirm, again, there was no reply. These numbers should be a wake up call for every homeowner in this state.
The BOR filed will have 24 homeowners’ rights, and right number 21 will compel MID to report the performance of every insurance company every year on claims filed, denied and paid. The BOR would also require that if an insurance company elects to not provide insurance coverage in any part of the state, it cannot offer the same coverage in any other part of the state. Buckel said Florida has adopted a similar policy.
A stripped down BOR passed the House in 2008, but died in the Senate Insurance Committee when Chairman Clarke failed to give the bill a vote. Buckel said he is trying again but expects the bill to die in the Senate Committee again.
You have a powerful insurance lobby in Mississippi, powerful enough to deny the homeowners in this state a bill that will improve their rights, Buckel says. Makes you wonder who our elected leaders work for!
The BOR can be viewed at www.msbillofrights.com.