This page is still being developed.
Additional information can be found here.
HHII NEWS RELEASE
For immediate release – July 9, 2011
Representatives of the Homeowners Hurricane Insurance Initiative (HHII), the faith-based, grassroots political group that has fought for more affordable property insurance, today thanked the Governor for appointing one of their members, Michelle Kurtz, to the
Governor’s Commission on Insurance.
HHII had been promised representation when it met with the Governor on Feb. 16, Janssen said and we are grateful to be able to serve.
“In Baldwin and Mobile counties, at least 52 thousand homes are now without wind and hail protection because insurance companies have been allowed to simply walk away from this protection while dramatically raising rates in coastal counties for fire and theft insurance, said Janssen. After the disaster up north with the tornados we want to be double sure we work together for lasting solutions.
“Voters are tired of being prey for wealthy insurance interests,” he said.
“In the past, most appointees to insurance commissions have been foxes in the homeowner henhouse. Although outnumbered and outspent, HHII will fight to assure the Commission serves citizens, not lobbyists” said Janssen.”
“The insurance industry lobby has been able to distinguish itself as the only business, except baseball, without the consumer protections of federal anti-trust laws. They can legally collude to set prices and selling conditions. HHII will endeavor to work so that insurance returns to its original vocational calling in society – to provide a future and a hope!” Janssen said.
Janssen stressed that the efforts of the homeowners group are aimed at reducing premiums of all Alabamians, significant reduction of premiums, a sustainable solution, which includes mitigation and just payment of claims.
“Increasingly, minorities, the poor and the middle class are forced out of the home ownership market because of unjustified insurance cancellations driven by greed and/or an incompetent business models,” he said.
“In particular, the poor, working poor and middle class are threatened. Soon, only the uninsured wealthy who can afford to lose their homes to fire, flood or tornados will live in these areas of Alabama. This is an unacceptable disruption in the Alabama economy that must be addressed in the Governor’s upcoming special session on insurance reform.
“Unless the excesses of the virtually unregulated insurance factions are mitigated by legislative action, jobs in our state soon will be in even bigger trouble than they are now.
“Already, we have seen the unfair pricing heaped on Alabama homeowners on the coast, with premium increases often quadrupling over only a few years. This can’t continue to accelerate and we would hate to see this happen to the tornado survivors,” Janssen said.
HHII goals are significant reduction of premiums, a sustainable solution and just payment of claims.
Bill Riales interviews the Wallaces and Michelle Kurtz and
headlines how HHII seeks legislative remedies, and support from property owners. Click
here to read full transcript and watch video clip.
Posted 3/23/2011
HHII GETS MESSAGE OUT
Michelle Kirtz was a guest on the Uncle Henry radio show February 16,
2011.
HHII members have spoken to a number of groups, including:
Optimist Club
League of Women Voters
Pleasure Island Ministerial Alliance
Gulf Shores Prebyterian Church
HHII had a tent at recent Pecan Festival in Theodore
during November. HHII needs many more volunteers to participate in
rally events.
Sarah Harris recorded her insurance story on the
StoryCorps project, which archives interviews in the Library of
Congress.
Updated 2/16/2011
HHII Rally (3/27/10) spotlights insurance
reform
Read
story at BaldwinCountyNOW.com;
Read
Part 2;
Read article in 3/30 Baldwin Register
Original post
Listen to WABF interview HHII members
Betty Gurley & Tom Lantz
