White Wants Extra Hurdle for Rate Hike

DALLAS (AP) _ Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill White says he wants Texas to require companies to get prior approval before raising insurance rates for homeowners.

White spoke Thursday in Dallas, saying “Texas has a crisis in homeowners insurance.”

White faces Republican Gov. Rick Perry in November.

Currently, when an insurance company wants to increase rates, it must file with the Texas Department of Insurance for review.

A department spokesman says that if the agency finds the change unreasonable and the company does not want to adjust the rate, the insurer can appeal to the State Office of Administrative Hearings. That agency’s decision can then be appealed to state district court.

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