Rep. Chris Humphrey to chair House Insurance Committee

North Carolina Representative Chris Humphrey (R - Lenoir, Pitt) has been selected to chair the House Insurance Committee. House Insurance reviews legislation that impacts the markets that provide a very unique type of financial service product that consumers may need to have.

“I'm looking forward to chairing this significant committee that takes up legislation dealing with all forms of insurance-related issues, including health and life as well as property and casualty-related matters,” said Rep. Chris Humphrey. 

The House Insurance Committee hears legislation that’s often highly technical in nature. The balancing act of reviewing legislation to ensure it provides appropriate protections for consumers while not subjecting insurers to burdensome regulations that might make it difficult for them to offer coverage is a challenge.

“Having as chair someone with Rep Humphrey’s background and professional experience is incredibly helpful to ensuring the bills that come before the committee get a thorough hearing and are fully and thoughtfully discussed and debated,” said Independent Insurance Agents of NC Vice President John Stewart. 

Being chair means making sure the members of the committee get all the information they need to fully understand the issues in every bill that comes before the committee.

“As chair I will be working with the elected Commissioner of Insurance on any and all rate-making and regulatory issues that need addressing, making sure we’re keeping consumers safe from fraud as well as ensuring fair rates and a full array of coverage options are available for all their insurance needs,” said Humphrey. 

Many of the matters that come before that committee have a direct impact on consumers, so there’s the additional challenge of protecting the economic interest of the people who will be affected.

“For the chair of any committee you want someone who conducts the meetings fairly and efficiently, in a straightforward manner, and who gives all sides an equal chance to be heard no matter what the subject is being discussed, and those are definitely qualities Rep Humphrey is known for and I believe will bring to the role of chair,” said Stewart.