Wichita ? The number of Kansans seeking homeowners insurance from a state plan that offers coverage to those rejected by private carriers rose 68 percent in the last fiscal year.

It’s an increase blamed by Rita Hiebsch, manager of the Kansas Fair Plan, on the cyclical nature of the insurance industry.

In a “hard” market, the insurance industry tightens underwriting rules and caters to fewer people. For homeowners, that can mean even a few seemingly minor claims can lead to them being dropped by their insurance carrier and left with limited options to buy coverage for their home.

“During this period of time when companies are tightening their underwriting requirements, the Fair Plan provides a safety net for homeowners,” said Vicki Buening, consumer education coordinator for the Kansas Insurance Department. “It gives them one more option and offers a limited protection plan that might not be available otherwise.”

The state-mandated plan provides insurance for people rejected by at least three insurance companies.

The Kansas Fair Plan typically writes between 2,500 and 3,000 policies a year. In 2002, 4,027 people were covered by the plan, compared to 3,263 in 2001.

In 2002, the plan received 2,044 new applications. That is almost double the 1,240 new applications received in fiscal 2001. The busiest year in the past decade was 1993, when there were 2,598 new applications.