Insurance Is the Hidden Cost in US Housing 0324.rtf
This article emphasizes hurricane damage and wildfire damage. At least 21 states have set up state-government-sponsored hazard insurance, but don't have a good idea where the money would come from to pay out damage claims. Major insurers, like State Farm and Allstate, have stopped writing new policies or abandoned the state(s) altogether when governemnts have failed to allow rate increases to cover the insurers' losses and expected losses. The problem is that damages are rising rapidly and the threat of future damages even faster. Therefore insurance premium increases have become inordinate in the eyes of policy-holders, in some cases higher than mortgage payments. However, home insurance is required for the mortgage market to function, with knock-on effects for schools, roads, and all manner of adaptation.
Section Map: Drought, Oceans, Snow, Adapt