Insurance Commissioner to Open Office in Gulfport

I found this Sun Herald article interesting and refreshing. Mr. Chaney is opening an office in Gulfport which is a great move. I would urge the windpool to locate closer to it's customers as well.

New commish aims at wind-pool rates
Chaney will open Coast office
By ANITA LEEcalee@sunherald.com

Commercial and residential policyholders in South Mississippi could see a decrease this year in state wind-pool rates, plus policyholders will for the first time have a state insurance office on the Coast.

Mississippi Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney said between meetings Friday he's busy but tired after two weeks in office.

"It's a lot of work," Chaney said. "I think the people in the department are dedicated to the people that pay the policy premiums. It's been a learning curve for me... I'm going to do my best."

He said the job has already proven to him "how staggering a responsibility I've got to the people of Mississippi."

Chaney said Friday he is working with state legislators, who convened their 2008 session Tuesday, and state wind-pool officials to lower wind-pool rates that increased 90 percent for homeowners and 162 percent for businesses after Hurricane Katrina. Chaney said it is too early to discuss details, but he has met with the Coast legislative delegation and is talking to other lawmakers about insurance needs in South Mississippi.

Chaney said his top priority is to stabilize the property and casualty market so insurance is available and affordable. Working to improve the wind pool, insurer of last resort for South Mississippi, also will help stabilize the insurance market statewide, he said.

He said lawmakers from other parts of the state are getting the message that South Mississippi needs stability in its insurance market for economic recovery from Katrina's devastation.

The Republican commissioner defeated Democratic challenger Gary Anderson in the November election, after Anderson ousted longtime Commissioner George Dale in the party primary.

Chaney also plans to open a Coast insurance office, tentatively Friday. The office will be at 1701 24th Avenue, across from the Gulfport courthouse. Chaney said he is opening the office full time, primarily as a service to consumers who have questions or complaints about insurance.

Chaney said he also will lend support to a state policyholders' bill of rights, with some revision, and is encouraging U.S. Senate candidates to support a multiple-peril insurance bill co-sponsored by U.S. Rep. Gene Taylor. The bill would add wind coverage to the federal flood insurance program, but would require rates be set at levels appropriate for the risks insured.