Joe Klingensmith and Mary Forrest have spent many sleepless nights trying to figure out how they'll deal with their homeowners insurance.

When Joe bought their 3000 sq. ft. home in Daphne's Lake Forest Subdivision, he didn't have any problem paying the mortgage. They could afford the house and the insurance that came along with it. Then, several financial setbacks had the couple pinching pennies, and the last thing they needed was a big blow from their insurance company.

"You feel almost ashamed that you're in that kind of situation. I'm somewhat ashamed. I'm supposed to be the main provider of my family and I may not be able to provide for us," said Klingensmith.

Five months ago Joe and Mary received a letter from their mortgage company, informing them their insurance premium was increasing from $1800 a year to $3700. Since then, they've scrambled to make ends meet, juggling bills from one credit card to another. Debt is piling, and creditors keep calling.

Cancellations/ Non-Renewals Since Hurricane Ivan:

• Alfa: 4,600 (1/2 commercial, ½ residential)
  
• State Farm: 2,700 (2400 condo, 300 residential)
  
• AllState: 10,250 (approx. 7,000 residential)
  
• Others: 500
  

"We really love this house. We planned on probably living here the rest of our lives," said Forrest. "Now, we can't wait to figure out a way to get out of it," she said.

Since Hurricane Ivan struck the Gulf Coast in 2004, more than 18-thousand families have found themselves in a similar position. Most of the families live South of Interstate Ten.

But, at the same time that insurance companies claimed high risk forced them to drop coverage here, property insurers enjoyed record high profits.

Alabama insurance commissioner Walter Bell is a Mobile native, and he says he's sympathetic of the problems facing Gulf Coast homeowners... But, finding an answer isn't easy.

"I get it all the time. If they don't write down in Mobile and Baldwin County, they shouldn't write in any part of the state. That's just not a real market solution," said Commissioner Bell, referring to hundreds of phone calls and letters received by his office.

So, what is the solution? And, who's willing to step up and make it happen? For Mary and Joe, time is running out, and the American dream of owning a home is turning into a nightmare.

Rate Filings Since May, 2007

• 34 companies filed to change homeowner rates (27 increases, 7 decreases)
  
• 1 company filed to increase condo rates
  
• 13 companies filed to change mobile home rates (12 increases, 1 decrease)
  

Rate Filings Since May, 2002

• 86 companies filed to change homeowner rates (58 increases, 17 decreases, 7 neutrals)
  
• 1 company filed to increase condo rates
  
• 15 companies filed to change mobile home rates (14 increases, 1 decrease)
  

Tune in to News Five at Six on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday to see a special three part series... News Five Investigates: Insurance Reform.