LATEST NEWS

NC homeowners’ insurance rates rose over the weekend
June 2, 2025, Theresa Opeka, The Carolina Journal

Homeowners’ insurance rates went up over the weekend, making owning a home in North Carolina more expensive. Rates increased on average by 7.5% as of June 1 and will rise another 7.5% on June 1, 2026. The increases were part of an agreement between North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey’s office and the North Carolina Rate Bureau (NCRB), which represents homeowners’ insurance companies in North Carolina. He announced the agreement in January. The increase is significantly lower than the 42.2% rate increase the NCRB was originally seeking. In addition, the agreement prohibits the Rate Bureau from undertaking an effort to increase rates again before June 1, 2027.  Read more

New bill would make grants for storm-proofing tax-free for homeowners
Mar 5, 2025, Liz McLaughlin, WRAL Climate Change Reporter

A new bipartisan bill introduced in Congress aims to remove federal taxes on disaster mitigation grants, a move that could make stormproofing homes more affordable for North Carolinians. The Disaster Mitigation and Tax Parity Act, co-sponsored by Rep. Greg Murphy, R-N.C., and Rep. Doug LaMalfa, R-Calif., would exclude catastrophe mitigation payments from taxable income, ensuring that homeowners who receive grants to strengthen their homes against hurricanes, floods and wildfires don’t face a tax burden. “Catastrophe mitigation payments used to improve natural disaster resilience should not be treated as a source of income, and North Carolinians should not be taxed for them,” Murphy said in a statement. The bill could have a major impact on North Carolina’s coast, where programs like Strengthen Your Roof provide grants to homeowners to fortify their roofs against hurricane-force winds. But currently, those grants are considered taxable income by the IRS. Read more

Vehicle Inspections
Ben Gibson, Statesville Record & Landmark, 3/03/25

A bill in the General Assembly could more than double the cost of vehicle safety and emission inspection fees for North Carolina residents. If passed, the total price an inspection station or an inspection mechanic can charge would rise to $29.15 for safety inspections and $40.15 for safety and emissions. Current fees are $12.75 and $23.75, respectively. The bill would maintain the $0.85 administrative fee the Department of Motor Vehicles receives on safety inspections and $6.25 for safety and emission inspections. House Bill 153, sponsored by Rep. Jeff McNeely, has put the Iredell County representative on the receiving end of criticism from voters. Fellow Republicans Howard Penny Jr., Ben T. Moss Jr. and David Willis are joined by Democrat Pricey Harrison in sponsoring the bill. Read more

DMV Commissioner Wayne Goodwin resigns, citing family priorities and ‘new beginnings’
Insider 2/26/2025

‘New beginnings’ emerged as the opening theme to a Joint Appropriations Committee on Transportation hearing on Wednesday as it served as a farewell for Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Wayne Goodwin. In a surprise move, Goodwin — a Hamlet native who served four terms in the House and eight years as the state Insurance Commissioner — announced his resignation just before the hearing got underway. “While my professional plans this morning may come as a surprise to some folks, my family members and friends closest to me in life know I’ve been truly mulling this decision in earnest for quite some time,” Goodwin said. “Especially as I begin the process of merging two families into one.”

Media Relations Contact

John Hardin     john@theraleighgroupnc.com