RALEIGH -- Members of the public let the Department of Insurance know how they feel about a proposed homeowner’s insurance rate hike.

A public comment forum is going on throughout the day in Raleigh.

This forum started around 10 on Tuesday morning and it runs into the late afternoon in order to let as many people speak as possible.

The N.C. Rate Bureau is asking for an average increase of 18.7 percent across the state. This is the first homeowners insurance rate filing the State Department of Insurance has received since 2014.

That 18.7  percent is just an average. Some in the state, particularly on the coast, will feel a larger impact.

Representative Bob Muller, who represents Pender and Onslow counties, spoke at the forum, asking for the rate increase to be opposed.

“The loss experiences we have have received have not justified a statewide rate disparity that we are seeing. In many instances, central and western counties have had more losses and premium dollars than paid by eastern North Carolina counties,” said Bob Mueller, Onslow Co.

This is just an ask at this point. It doesn’t mean this rate increase will go into effect.

They did announce 94 written comments have already been submitted, and the forum is expected to last until 4:30 on Tuesday at the Department of Insurance building.