Why Are Homeowners Insurance Premiums Rising in 2024?

As insurance rates rise at unprecedented rates, homeowners are cutting back on groceries, travel, dining out, and even medication to afford the cost of their insurance premiums. In even more shocking news, 1 in 10 homeowners are even consider moving to an area with lower premiums, according to a recent survey by Claimguide.

According to the Claimguide.com survey of 1,500 homeowners who were asked about their insurance premiums, 61% of people report paying higher rates in the previous 12 months and 1 in 10 claimed that their premium has doubled or more than doubled.

Industry data shows that over the last five years, homeowner’s premiums have spiked by 34% nationwide. Due to spiking insurance costs, 23% of homeowners have reported having to cut back on other expenses.

The survey has also found that, 1 in 10 homeowners have increased their deductible to lower their premium and that 20% of respondents would consider going without homeowners coverage if their lender didn’t require it. All of this bad news led to 62% of homeowners to agree that the home insurance industry is in crisis.

Searching for a better premium

While higher prices are encouraging homeowners to shop their insurance coverage, 73% of respondents said that their options are limited when looking for a cheaper provider. Out of the 31% of homeowners who say to have shopped in the last 12 months, 27% of them are finding it difficult to find an affordable option. 

The survey found homeowners paid an average premium of $166.41 a month or   $1,997 a year. A shocking 20% said they plan on switching insurers in the next 12 months while 10 percent claimed they were just hoping to hang onto their current coverage amid fears that their insurer would be dropping them or non-renewing their policy. 

Why Are Premiums Rising?

The survey found that homeowners mainly blame insurers for the premium increases. Roughly 86% of homeowners said insurance companies use inflation as an excuse to raise their premiums while 40% blame insurance companies’ greed for the skyrocketing costs. A majority, (73%) believe in the government should be enacting and enforcing stronger regulations on the insurance industry.

Risk vs. Cost

More than 10.6 million homeowners (7.4% of homeowners) don’t have home insurance nationwide.

Mississippi, New Mexico, Virginia, Louisiana, and Alabama have the most uninsured homeowners. Florida, known for its natural disasters, also has a high number of uninsured homeowners. In fact, 10% of all Florida homeowners are uninsured.

Coastal homeowners typically boast the highest rates of coverage. In Washington, D.C. only 3.3% of homeowners go without coverage. Oregon (4.7%), California (4.9%),

Massachusetts (5.4%), and New York (5.4%) also have low rates of uninsured homeowners.

Managing Costs

Before jumping to cutting expenses or going uninsured, consider investing in home improvements. Certain improvements can reduce insurance costs.

“Roof updates to meet new wind guidelines for coastal properties and other high wind areas affords homeowners additional protection and can reduce insurance cost,” said Gerard Reczek, a ClaimGuide.org insurance specialist in a recent Insurance Journal article. “Insurance companies will lower premiums and reduce wind deductibles with recommended roof construction improvements.”

A few additional ways to save include investing in a home security system and updating wiring or plumbing.

Reczek also advises that homeowners should review their insurance policies at least once before each renewal. “Reviewing your insurance policy is always prudent,” Reczek said in the Insurance Journal article. “Understanding potential hazards and exposures to your area and home allows you to address any concerns in advance. Reading policy exclusions for flood, wind, and earthquake will direct you to policy limitations you should address. Taking ownership in policy coverage and policy exclusions should prevent any surprises after a loss.”