A market survey by Texas independent insurance agents has foundGulf Coast property insurance costs have risen up to 20 percentthis year but slightly lower premium rates are available elsewherein the state.

The annual Personal Lines Market Survey conducted by theIndependent Insurance Agents of Texas also found that premiums forpersonal auto insurance are lower than or unchanged from last year,with the exception for the coastal regions.

Robert Hempkins, IIAT president said “Texas independent agenciesreport having access to more insurance companies this year. Coupledwith a largely catastrophe-free year in 2006, this has created acompetitive market that is good for consumers.”

IIAT said its survey of 1,800 member independent insuranceagencies found that nearly 80 percent of agents surveyed reportbroader homeowners insurance coverage among standard insurancecompanies.

With the broader coverage, which typically costs more,independent agents in coastal counties reported pricing is 10 to 20percent higher than last year.

At the same time, 40 percent of inland agents reported lowerpricing and another 25 percent reported pricing unchanged from2005.

“Given the continued predictions of larger and more frequentstorms, along with the increased costs of reinsurance purchased bycompanies with which independent agencies place business, we arenot surprised to see this sort of increase along the coast,” saidMr. Hempkins.

The survey also has found that agencies along the coastincluding Harris County reported greater difficulty placingbusiness with standard insurance companies in 2006 compared to lastyear.

Nearly two-thirds report greater difficulty while in all otherareas of the state, two-thirds of agencies report having an easiertime placing such business.

Forty percent of agencies along the coast and more than 50percent in Harris County answered “no” when asked if they hadaccess to more standard insurance companies this year compared tolast. Throughout the remainder of the state more than 50 percentanswered “yes” to that question.

More than two-thirds of agencies surveyed reported premium rateslower than or unchanged from last year for personal auto, againwith the exception of coastal regions. Agents responding also saidthey are able to place less auto business in non-standard insurancecompanies, where rates are often higher.

“The best way for consumers to take advantage of thiscompetitive insurance market is to shop for the best coverage,”said Mr. Hempkins.

The IIAT calls itself the nation's largest state association ofindependent insurance agencies, representing nearly 1,800 agenciesand more than 15,000 agents and insurance professionals. IIATmember agencies are represented in all but 24 of the state's 254counties.