[fintstone]

NC is similar to CA as folks that run the state have prevented insurance companies from properly addressing risk and raising maximum rates as necessary for a long time...until insurers started refusing to insure many and often leaving the state altogether. Competition for policies dries up. Eventually, this forces massive increases (or the company does not renew coverages). Of course, the state sets maximum rates and if you are a good risk (and your insurance company values your business), you are likely paying far less than the maximum.

Insurers like USAA consider credit scores, past claims, zip codes, and how long they have insured you when they insure a property...and set prices to match. There is a lot of fraud, and a lot of folks use homeowners to do maintenance on their homes. When we have discussed insurance here on PP, some folks have posted that they regularly make claims and get a new roof ever 5 years. One is better to have very high deductibles and only use insurance in a catastrophic major loss. I pay to put on a new roof myself (every 20-30 years). I insure 8 homes (5 different states) with USAA and have no problems getting coverage). The same with cars. I have 6 cars insured and have never made a claim. The rates for my homes and cars have risen, but they are nowhere near the maximum rates in the states I insure them. Like almost every service and commodity, when the government gets involved and regulates it, it eventually ruins it/makes it more expensive or unavailable. Health insurance is another great example of this.