State Farm 20% rate hike

Tyler, Tx (KETK) — State Farm Insurance Company has proposed a huge rate increase for homeowners, and the state’s consumer advocate is crying foul. But will the Insurance commissioner do anything about it?

State Farm is the 900 pound gorilla of insurers in Texas.

Alex Winslow heads up Texas Watch, which keeps an eye on insurance companies.

“State Farm is the single largest insurance company in Texas. And they have implemented a 20% rate increase, which is the largest single increase in state history. State Farm likes to talk about how Texas has bad weather, and that’s without a doubt, we do have bad weather. But that’s nothing new and it doesn’t justify dramatic increases in premiums.”

And since 2003, all an insurer has to do is announce it, start charging the higher rate, and hope the Insurance Commission doesn’t say whoa. And they rarely do. And the Insurance Commissioner Eleanor Kitzman has essentially thrown up her hands .

Even though the state’s consumer advocate for insurance, Deeia Beck has urged her to reject the increase as excessive and discriminatory.

“She owned an insurance company. She lobbied for insurance companies. She has a long history inside the industry. Our experience with Commissioner Kitzman is that she acts like she’s still in the industry.”

So, until or unless Commissioner Kitzman acts on this, State Farm customers will just have to pay up.