Gubernatorial candidates on insurance

ALABAMA - Reply from Roy Moore (R)

Do you have a plan to address the rising cost of homeowner's insurance in the state?

Yes, to allow out-of-state insurers access to state market.

Do you feel the Alabama Department of Insurance is doing enough on behalf of consumers to keep rates reasonable?

No.

If not, what would you change?

Let out-of-state companies insure risks which present in-state companies decline. Free enterprise is the best way to lower costs. Presently the system is being manipulated in favor of certain insurers.

Reply from Kay Ivey (R)

Do you have plan to address the rising cost of homeowner's insurance in the state?

I'm a "free markets" conservative who believes in letting consumers and insurers determine the affordability of insurance premium rates. While some regulation is necessary, the government's interference in the market usually produces unintended, expensive and negative consequences. We are in dire economic times now, partly because of the mess government made with housing and mortgage requirements.

The government should be a non-intrusive hand that doesn't get in the business of picking winners and losers in the marketplace. We must encourage competition and help reduce risk exposure so that our citizens can afford paying premiums over the long-term to protect their property and investments.

As Governor, the market-driven approach, not the Big Brother approach, will be my plan.

Do you feel the Alabama Department of Insurance is doing enough on behalf of consumers to keep rates reasonable? If not, what would you change?

Competition is healthy for any business, including the insurance industry. As long as we do not strangle it with onerous regulations, and trap it in an unhealthy legal climate, Alabama citizens should expect reasonable insurance rates. It is government's duty to address the environment in which the insurance industry functions so that businesses and customers can both benefit; it is not the government's duty to set artificial premium rates or grossly restrict underwriting which would destroy competition and hurt consumers.

Reply from James Potts (R)

Do you have a plan to address the rising cost of homeowner's insurance in the state?

We need to expand classes in Alabama's fire college and raise standards to assist all dept's including volunteer stations. By improving the quality of our Fire Stations, we improve our ratings.Which lowers homeowner fire insurance. Also, by reducing traffic accidents, we reduce insurance cost also.

Do you feel the Alabama Department of Insurance is doing enough on behalf of consumers, to keep rates reasonable?

In a personal instance NO. But I am not intimately familiar with the laws and plan to bring into my cabinet someone who is.

If not, what would you change?

Will review the insurance laws after I am elected Governor of Alabama. (This has always been in my plans)