Marketplace All-in-One What a homeowners insurance bill of rights could do
Oct 28, 2025
Sarah Enright, Senior Director of Safety and Sustainability at Consumer Reports, shares insights into the rising crisis in homeowners insurance. More than half of homeowners experienced premium hikes recently, driven by inflation, construction costs, and extreme weather. Enright discusses the organization's Homeowners Insurance Bill of Rights, aiming for fairness and transparency in policy language. She advocates for better communication from insurers to help frustrated consumers navigate this challenging landscape.
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Nationwide Home Insurance Crisis
- Home insurance premiums have jumped nationwide, driven by inflation, construction costs, and extreme weather.
- Consumer Reports calls this rise a full-blown crisis that leaves many homeowners vulnerable.
Costs And Weather Drive Premiums
- Rising claims costs reflect real factors like a 40% jump in construction costs since the pandemic.
- Extreme weather is happening in new places, increasing exposure and claims unexpectedly.
Demand Plain Policy Language
- Ask insurers for clear, plain-English explanations of what a policy covers and excludes.
- Confirm common gaps like flood coverage so you avoid surprises after a loss.