Montgomery, AL – A package of homeowners' insurance bills pushed by coastal legislators has stalled in the state Senate.
Several senators from the northern two-thirds of the state led opposition to the bills, and the Senate quit work on them when none appeared likely to pass.
The bills resulted from increased prices and decreased availability of homeowners' insurance in coastal counties after Hurricane Ivan in 2004 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Opponents, led by Republican Sen. Tom Whatley of Auburn, blocked consideration of a bill to require insurance companies to notify customers of discounts they could get for remodeling their homes to be more wind resistant. Whatley said increased regulation could drive up rates.
After that, continued stalling by opponents kept any other insurance bill from coming up for a vote.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)