ST. GEORGE — Louisiana’s auto and home insurance rates are among the highest in the country, according to Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple. State politicians met in St. George on Monday night to answer questions from the public and talk about when costs will come down.

Temple says new laws passed in the last legislative session could lead to lower insurance costs, which began rising three decades ago.

“They are designed to address both the real estate and automotive sectors because both represent an issue that impacts our wallets,” he said.

Temple says the high costs are driving businesses and residents out of Louisiana. He attributes some of the high costs for homeowners to the unpredictable weather conditions along the Gulf Coast.

After hurricanes Laura, Delta, Zeta and Ida hit Louisiana, more than 800,000 insurance claims were filed and insurance companies paid out nearly $24 billion while collecting only $2 billion that same year. Temple says insurance companies made losses and could not survive in Louisiana.

“When we needed them, they weren’t there. Twelve companies went bankrupt, but equally importantly, another 30 simply said we’re finished,” Temple said.

Temple says he spoke to a man who owns a trucking company and was paying $5,000 a month for insurance in Louisiana. After moving to Texas, the man’s car insurance dropped to $1,500 a month, Temple said.

Florida is the best indicator that rates may be coming down, Temple said. Rates have been falling over the past 20 months. Florida lawmakers passed insurance reform legislation, and the state experienced fewer hurricanes. These changes led to lower home insurance premiums for the state’s residents.