Montana State Auditor Discusses Limitations in Controlling Skyrocketing Insurance Rates

Montana State Auditor and Commissioner of Insurance, James Brown, recently addressed the escalating home and fire insurance rates in both Montana and nationwide during a public speech. Brown highlighted the dramatic increase in insurance costs as a primary concern among voters throughout his campaign.

 His office, while conducting extensive public outreach, faces significant limitations in directly controlling insurance pricing. Brown emphasized that his role does not include the authority to set exact rates for insurance policies; instead, his office can only review and object to rates deemed too high. This revelation underscores a critical issue in the insurance regulatory framework in Montana, revealing the challenges of managing rising insurance costs amidst natural disasters and economic pressures.