Things are changing fast in the home insurance market
Oct 22, 2024
auto_awesome
In this discussion, Amy Bach, Executive Director of United Policyholders, shares her expertise on the evolving home insurance market. She reveals how hurricanes have spiked premiums and coverage cuts, particularly in high-risk areas. New technologies, like drones and AI, are creating challenges for affordability. The economic pressures on homeowners and the implications of the recent hurricanes are explored. Additionally, the conversation touches on the need for transparency and support for consumers as they navigate these turbulent changes.
The home insurance market is tightening coverage due to climate-related risks, leaving homeowners vulnerable amid rising premiums and exclusions.
Insurers are leveraging advanced technologies like drones and AI to assess risk, creating disparities in information accessibility for homeowners facing coverage challenges.
Deep dives
Rising Insurance Premiums and Coverage Shortages
Homeowners across the United States are experiencing significant increases in insurance premiums, often reaching 20-30% year-over-year. The recent hurricanes, Helene and Milton, have compounded the crisis, resulting in many claims being closed without payment due to high deductibles or exclusions related to flooding. Many homeowners either lack flood insurance or struggle to afford multiple policies, further contributing to the issue of being uninsured or underinsured. Insurers have responded to the escalating risks of climate-related disasters by tightening coverage limits, leaving many homeowners vulnerable amid rising costs.
Impact of Technology on Insurance Decisions
Insurance companies are increasingly using technology to assess risk, including drone footage and AI to evaluate properties. While this data-driven approach has allowed insurers to make more informed decisions, it has also led to a reduction in coverage for older homes and those in high-risk areas. Homeowners in vulnerable regions are finding it increasingly difficult to secure insurance as insurers pull back based on detailed assessments of risks. The reliance on advanced technology has created a disparity where insurers possess comprehensive data while homeowners are often left uninformed about the specific risks affecting their coverage.
Real Estate Market Consequences
Rising home insurance costs are beginning to affect the real estate market significantly, with reports indicating that buyers are now adding insurance contingencies to purchase offers. If buyers find that obtaining adequate insurance is difficult or expensive, they can withdraw from the sale, which raises alarm bells within the sector. Areas previously regarded as desirable are experiencing declining property values as insurance becomes less affordable and harder to secure. As private insurers exit the market, state-backed programs are stepping in, but homes in high-risk regions still face immense challenges.
Navigating Insurance Challenges as a Homeowner
Homeowners facing non-renewal notices or struggling to secure affordable coverage should seek resources such as United Policyholders for guidance on navigating their options. Promptly shopping for new insurance policies is essential, as the market is continuously evolving with new products becoming available. The role of proactive insurance agents is becoming more critical, as they can help consumers find suitable alternatives amidst a dynamic market. Staying informed and addressing issues related to insurance promptly can mitigate the negative impacts of rising premiums and coverage limitations.
In the weeks after Hurricanes Helene and Milton hit the Southeast, the price to rebuild has become a topic of contention in the home insurance market. For years, home insurers have identified climate change as a threat, cut coverage and increased premiums for properties in disaster-prone areas. But now, home insurers are also using new technologies such as drone footage and artificial intelligence to identify other high-risk areas in urban and suburban neighborhoods.
Then, we’ll get into what headline inflation measures leave out of the cost of housing. And, how do we prepare for the upcoming Election Day in the shadow of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol? Later, we’ll hear from listeners on voting from overseas and the origins of trick-or-treating.
Do you have an Election Day tradition? Maybe you like to mail your ballot or treat yourself to coffee after hitting the polls. Let us know what your voting routine looks like at makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode