RALEIGH, N.C.  – The state House tentatively approved a plan to fix an underfunded coastal insurance program after first refusing to double the insurance industry’s maximum liability from a catastrophic hurricane to $2 billion.

The House voted 89-27 on Tuesday to back Beach Plan reforms that include putting all insured North Carolina property owners on the hook if a disaster pushes claims beyond the industry’s $1 billion cap on assessments. A final House vote could come as early as Wednesday.

Supporters said the changes are needed to keep insurance companies from pulling out of North Carolina, which would lead to higher prices and fewer choices statewide. Insurers now have unlimited liability to make good on damage claims covered by the Beach Plan.