My good neighbor advises my next semi-annual premium for vehicle insurance is going up by about 17 percent.

That is coupled with about 12 percent when the current six-month premium was due.

Roughly speaking, my neighbor will collect about $1,500 this year from me for being there.

Again roughly speaking, that will bring to about $90,000 what I’ve paid to now four different neighbors over time since that first premium as a 20-year-old with a souped-up street rod. Remember those rates that were a price of youth?

I confess to not knowing much about insurance pools, shared risks, etc. but do know my claims over that span — three windshield replacements covered by a policy rider.

My sad song is no different than that of many others and our chorus has the attention of legislators trying to come up with answers and solutions.

They are not having much success getting answers so far since key players aren’t participating. 

Four separate committees have discovered what we all suspected — our rates are near the highest in the nation at average annual cost of $3,618. National average is $2,543. 

By that standard I fare well. Could be age, or location, or driving record, or type/age of vehicle (no Rocket 88 these days). Don’t know. 

Rates vary within the state’s regions though the industry hasn’t yet shared the factors that create the variables. 

Insurers blame personal injury lawyers. The lawyers blame insurers. Everyone blames drunk drivers, uninsured drivers, medical costs and rising vehicle, parts and labor costs. 

Cynics suggest not letting legislators who are lawyers or insurance agents participate in the bill-drafting process. 

All we know for sure is change has to be a-coming.  

Full disclosure: Following the Katrina debacle, my good neighbor paid our claim on newly purchased and essentially destroyed home, furnishings in Gulfport, MS four days after filing. Had paid only six monthly premiums. Karma, I suppose.