Citizens for Homeowners Insurance Reform

Senate Bill, No. 2778 Passes. No Bill is Better Say Citizen's.
There has been much controversy regarding the recent Senate Bill # 2778 and its potential to negatively impact coastal property owners.

Citizens for Homeowners Insurance Reform would support a Bill that includes the following modifications and additions:

The Attorney General should have the right to trigger a rate hearing on any homeowners insurance rates -- both before and after they become effective for any reasons the AG feels necessary. This we believe is of vital importance to protect citizens.
Section 7 should be deleted entirely.
The Hurricane deductible trigger language should be modified to give the proper description of a Hurricane -- the National Weather Service declares a windstorm with sustained winds (2 minutes or longer) at or above 74 MPH which makes landfall anywhere in the Commonwealth.
The Center for Hurricane Research should be deleted at this time.
Additional money should be appropriated to the AG's office for the consulting/testimony of experts in homeowners insurance rate hearings. Citizens deserve to have our monies be available to defend ourselves with the best experts. In addition, no hurricane model should be relied upon for rating purposes if the AG did not have access to any information it deemed necessary to review the model.
The unlimited guaranteed replacement insurance should remain in the Fair Plan Policies --delete #5 of the Bill.
We are willing to give up the refund clause at this time because it misleads citizens into expecting a refund when the language of the clause makes it highly unlikely that any significant refund will ever be received.
Language should be added to require the DOI to hold a public hearing before the Commissioner or Fair Plan makes changes to the "Operation of the Fair Plan."

Please take a moment to compare these changes with the current Senate bill here:
Senate Bill, No. 2778
Reasons why Coastal Citizens oppose this bill.
Contact your State Rep here.

The Commissioner of Insurance Denies Rate Hike
Nonnie Burns has made a decision on May 8, 2008 to deny the Fair Plan's 2007 request for a 25% rate hike due to failure to meet its burden of proof. The MPIUA (Fair Plan) may submit new rate filings that comply with this decision and Order.
Click to read the FAIR Plan decision.
Click here for the appendix to the FAIR Plan decision.
Thank You To All Citizens - Our Voices are Making a Difference! We want reform to all Homeowner Insurance Companies providing coverage in Coastal Ma.

Tell Your Homeowner Insurance Story

Have your rates increased?
Are you with a private insurer or Fair Plan?
Has your replacement value increased?
Have you ever placed a claim? If so, were you treated well and promptly by the insurer?
Do you live on the water or how close?
Do you have National Flood Insurance?
Do you have "wind deductible" or "hurricane deductible" language in your policy and at what % is that deductible?

If you can answer any or all of these questions, please email Paula at info@homeownersinsurancereform.org. Be sure to include your name, address and phone number. Thanks!

Have you had your homeowners insurance cancelled?
Are you concerned about the escalating cost of homeowners insurance on Cape Cod and along the Massachusetts shore line?

Who we are and what we're doing:

We are a grassroots group of Cape Cod and coastal Massachusetts homeowners searching for solutions to the current insurance dilemma. We are working with legislators and representatives at the state, national and local levels to effect change. Through our organization's efforts we hope to stabilize or reduce the costs of homeowners insurance to what is a fair level.

Our goals:

To keep insurance companies writing homeowners insurance on the Cape and along the shore line at a fair and equitable price.

To bring Cape Cod and Massachusetts shore line citizens together to have our voices heard and to make positive changes in the homeowners insurance situation.

Thank you, Paula Aschettino and The Committee

"Citizens for Homeowners Insurance Reform"

Top of Page

ACTION YOU CAN TAKE! The Financial Services Committee has come out with new proposed bills on homeowners insurance. The language of the Bills do not go far enough to make a difference and protect the citizens. Senator O'Leary and Rep. Sarah Peake agree that the language needs to be amended. Please click here for a sample letter you can send to your legislator. BECOME A FRIEND! I support this initiative for positive change to the present, unfair insurance practices.
First Name *
Last Name *
Address *
City *
State *
Zip *
Phone
Email *
* Required Click here to print and fax this form. Upcoming Events Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008 Coastal Caucus Discuss harmful language in pending insurance Bills with coastal legislators. State House Boston, MA CITIZENS FOR HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE REFORM 21 Smith Street Eastham, MA 02642 Phone: 508-240-5231 Fax: 774-207-0114 Email: info@homeownersinsurancereform.org

Have you had your homeowners insurance cancelled? Are you concerned about the escalating cost of homeowners insurance on Cape Cod and along the Massachusetts shore line?

Have you had your homeowners insurance cancelled?
Are you concerned about the escalating cost of homeowners insurance on Cape Cod and along the Massachusetts shore line?