Too Early to Tell if Kentucky Windstorm will Increase Insurance Rates

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The Kentucky Office of Insurance says it’s too early to tell if the severe winds caused by the remnants of Hurricane Ike will result in insurance rate hikes.

The Courier-Journal reported insurers have received tens of thousands of claims related to last weekend’s windstorm.

Kentucky Farm Bureau spokesman Greg Kosse estimated the firm’s customers sustained about $40 million in damage with more than 22,000 claims turned in.

KOI spokesperson, Ronda Sloan, said the projected increase in homeowners’ rates this year was 1.4 percent — the smallest rise since at least 2002.

Sloan said if the windstorm does bring on higher premiums, they won’t be reflected on bills until well into next year.

Meanwhile, Louisville Gas and Electric spokesman Brian Phillips said that the number of power outages has dropped to fewer than 4,000, down from a peak of 301,000.
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Information from: The Courier-Journal,
http://www.courier-journal.com