Tag: disaster resilience

The Growing Threat of Insurance Deserts and How to Address It

Nordstrom
Insurance Deserts

What Are Insurance Deserts? Imagine living in an area so prone to natural disasters that insurance companies decide it’s simply too risky to do business there. This is the concept of an insurance desert—a place where coverage becomes hard to come by or entirely unavailable. These regions are often plagued by events like wildfires, floods, and hurricanes, phenomena that are becoming more frequent and severe in the wake of climate change. For communities labeled as insurance deserts, the ripple effects are far-reaching. Homeowners struggle to secure mortgages without coverage, businesses…

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California Wildfires Costs Balloons Past $4 Billion, but ‘LA Rises’ Offers Hope

Nordstrom
California Wildfires Costs

California Wildfires Spark $4 Billion in Insurance Payouts The devastating wildfires that swept through Los Angeles County earlier this year have left a trail of destruction and financial strain. Preliminary data shows that insurance companies have already paid over $4 billion for losses tied to the Palisades and Eaton fires, highlighting the immense scale of these disasters. With tens of thousands of homes destroyed and businesses affected, the true financial toll is expected to climb even higher. Insurance Claims Skyrocket Amid Ongoing Recovery More than 31,000 claims have been filed…

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82% More for Home Insurance? Here’s How Climate Risk Is Hitting Your Wallet

Nordstrom
Home insurance costs

Rising Insurance Costs in High-Risk Areas Home insurance costs are soaring across the United States, particularly for those living in areas prone to natural disasters. A new report by the U.S. Treasury Department reveals a stark disparity between premiums in high-risk and low-risk zip codes, painting a concerning picture for homeowners grappling with climate-related challenges. The findings highlight an 82% increase in average premiums for residents in disaster-prone areas compared to their counterparts in low-risk regions. But what’s behind this spike in prices, and what does it mean for homeowners?…

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Why Every Homebuyer Should Demand Flood History Transparency

H. Cutner
Flood History Transparency

The Hidden Risks of Buying a Flood-Prone Home For millions of Americans, purchasing a home is the single largest financial decision they will ever make. Yet many buyers face an alarming obstacle when it comes to flood risk. More than one-third of U.S. states fail to require any disclosure of a property’s past flood damage or risk during a real estate transaction. This leaves countless buyers unaware they may be stepping into a financial nightmare. Flooding is the most common and costly natural disaster in the U.S., and a home…

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California’s Home Insurance Crisis Amid Rising Claims Denials

Logan B.
Home Insurance Crisis and Claims Denial

Growing Denials Leave Homeowners Vulnerable California’s homeowners faced significant challenges in 2023 as leading insurance companies denied nearly half of all claims, far exceeding the national average. A report by Weiss Ratings revealed that some of the state’s top insurers, including Farmers (50%), USAA (48%), and Allstate (46%), topped the list for denied claims. This comes as insurers deal with increasing exposures to climate-related disasters like wildfires, hurricanes, and flooding. While some insurers show alarming claim denial numbers, others demonstrate relatively better performance. Among these are two affiliates of AAA,…

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How Extreme Weather is Reshaping Where and How We Live

Live Insurance News
How Extreme Weather is Reshaping Where and How We Live

The Push for Climate Insurance as Extreme Weather Events Rise The frequency and intensity of extreme weather events are on the rise, leaving communities around the world grappling with the aftermath of hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and droughts. Scientists link these increasingly destructive events to climate change, which is reshaping the way governments, businesses, and individuals approach risk. One of the key responses to this growing challenge is the development of climate insurance. This specialized form of coverage is designed to protect individuals and businesses from the financial impact of climate-related…

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