Waterfront property owners in Baltimore County said they want lawmakers to act now to stop insurance companies from phasing out coverage in coastal communities.

The effort comes at the heels of Allstate Corp.?s announcement last month that the insurer will not write any new policies this year on 11 coastal Maryland counties, citing increased risks of hurricanes. Residents in the county?s waterfront communities such as Millers and Carroll islands, Essex and Middle River said Allstate?s decision indicates future hikes in premiums and mortgages as well as lower property values in those areas.