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Make Me Smart

From Burning Questions: Is the future insurable?

Jan 28, 2025
Carolyn Kousky, Associate Vice President for Economics and Policy at the Environmental Defense Fund and founder of Insurance for Good, shares her insights on the ongoing insurance crisis in the wake of devastating wildfires in Los Angeles. She discusses the emotional toll of evacuations and how rising insurance costs are reshaping housing markets. The conversation explores innovative solutions to better insure vulnerable communities and emphasizes the need for equitable coverage in an era of frequent climate disasters.
21:00

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The recent Los Angeles wildfires have exposed significant weaknesses in the homeowners insurance industry, prompting a shift towards state-run insurance programs with soaring premiums.
  • Survivors of the disaster face not only the loss of homes but also profound emotional trauma, highlighting the human impact of climate-related crises on communities.

Deep dives

Impact of Wildfires on the Insurance Market

The recent wildfires in Los Angeles have triggered significant concerns regarding the insurance market, with thousands of residents facing policy cancellations prior to the disaster. Many private insurers are retreating from high-risk areas due to alarming climate risks, raising questions about the future viability of home insurance. This situation has led to an increase in policies being shifted to state-run insurance programs, often with significantly higher premiums, further straining homeowners financially. These developments prompt a broader discussion about the insurability of properties as climate-related disasters grow more severe and frequent.

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