HOUSTON (AP) - Despite moves by state officials to give homeowners insurance relief, Texas residents are still feeling the pinch of high premiums.

And State Farm, Texas' largest homeowners insurance company, and Farmers Insurance Group are challenging their rate cuts in court. The companies jointly write 42 percent of policies in the state.

Last week, Gov. Rick Perry listed among his accomplishments saving taxpayers more than half a billion dollars in lower home insurance costs.

Insurance Commissioner Jose Montemayor, acting in August under authority given him in a new law, ordered insurers operating in the state to drop their rates by a collective $510 million.

Most other insurers reached a settlement with the insurance department that cut their rate rollbacks in half, with a promise that the balance of the rate cuts will be given to policyholders next year if the weather holds and there isn't an unexpected spike surge in claims.

Consumer groups and lawmakers are also criticizing Montemayor for two proposed rules affecting how insurers use credit history and neighborhood location to calculate rates.

"The reforms were modest, and now they've been watered down even more," Dan Lambe, executive director of the consumer advocacy group Texas Watch, told the Houston Chronicle in Monday's editions.

Lawmakers and others are criticizing one rule that would allow insurers to charge higher premiums to customers with lower credit ratings.

"Montemayor is spoiling insurance companies who are operating in Texas," Rep. Steve Wolens, D-Dallas, said. "I anticipated that Montemayor would have put a cap on the extent to which credit scoring could be used -- for example, a 15 percent variation."

The insurance commissioner has also drawn criticism for a proposed rule allowing insurers to offer homeowners different rates depending on where their home is located within a county. Legislators said there should be no more than 15 percent variation in rates within a county but gave the commissioner the authority to allow a greater rate difference.

Sen. Rodney Ellis said he's concerned the rule could prompt "redlining" of poor and minority neighborhoods.

"Allowing companies to widely vary rates within counties is the same as allowing redlining," said Ellis, D-Houston. "Either way, those who can afford it the least are likely to get charged the most. This is wholly unacceptable and disappointing."