Allstate Corp., which Wednesday posted a 16 percent increase in second-quarter profits, plans next week to begin charging Texans more for homeowners insurance.

Although Allstate intends to raise its rates July 26, the Texas Department of Insurance could later decide the increase is too high and require the company to issue refunds to consumers.

On June 6, Allstate filed its intentions to raise homeowner policy rates by 6.9 percent, but department regulators still are reviewing its plans.

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By Laura Elder

© 2006 The Galveston County Daily News. All rights reserved.