As the Democratic presidential primary process has shown, relying on polls is about one step away from using a divining rod to locate water in the desert. Both approaches promise results, but their efficacy can only be borne out after the fact. In other words, until you dig a hole and find water, the divining rod is just a stick. Still, in the absence of hard evidence, regulators, lawmakers, and the industry remain transfixed by polls that at least momentarily fill up the information vacuum.

The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America recently released the results of a statewide poll of homeowners conducted by the Public Opinion Strategies polling firm. The poll examined the attitudes of 800 likely voters who unsurprisingly, rated insurance issues as one of their top concerns for this year and beyond.

In part, the poll offers a picture of a much more sophisticated consumer than usually portrayed in the halls of the Capitol. PCI touts the fact that consumers appear to support measures that offer long-term solutions as opposed to “quick fixes.” But the poll also finds a series of contradictions. Seventy-five percent of those surveyed find the state has not delivered on their promises to reduce rates, while the same number believe that long-term rate stability is preferable to immediate rate relief.