U.S. nationwide survey shows homeowners more concerned about housing market value than natural disasters

An American survey of homeowners across the country which was completed in October 2011 showed that 58 percent of respondents feel that the largest threat to homeownership is the housing market value. This figure was larger than the combined risk perceived about the impact of hurricane (8 percent), tornado (9 percent) and fire (15 percent). When asked whether they felt that homeownership is now the American Dream or the American Nightmare, a shocking 48 percent felt that it was a Nightmare, while only 52 percent clung to the belief that…

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Florida Governor calls for residents to share insight on Citizens Insurance Group

Florida Governor Rick Scott is looking for input from consumers on what to do with the state-run insurance company Citizens Property Insurance Corp. The company has come upon difficult financial times in recent years, much of which has been at the hands of fraud and natural disasters. The company was recently approved to raise rates on sinkhole coverage for homes as a way to offset the losses seen in years past. The new rates have spurred public outcry, which has led regulators to stagger the rate increase over the course…

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Aon Benfield report shows property insurance rates do not account for risk in some areas

Aon Benfield, a global reinsurance intermediary for the Aon Corporation, has released a new report concerning the state of home insurance rates in the U.S. The report shows that potential profit in the home insurance market has dropped from 6.9% in 2010 to 4.8% this year. The report suggests that the drop may be due to property insurer’s not pricing homeowner’s insurance in accordance with risk. This is especially prevalent along coastal regions where the risk for catastrophic damage is highest. Aon Benfield’s report shows that property insurers have shown…

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Homeowners insurance increases by 6.5 percent over 2010

Homeownersinsurance.com data has revealed that the average home insurance rate in May 2011 in California was approximately $770. When compared to the same time in 2010, this was an increase of 6.5 percent, as the average premium at that time was $729. HomeownersInsurance.com is a division of HomeInsurance.com LLC, which is marketplace for insurance online and is comprised of a group of more than 125 licensed insurance agents who sell homeowners insurance products across the United States. The CEO of the company, Carlos Lagomarsino, said that the Californian insurance rates…

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Report calls for more action from consumers to help mitigate the costs of natural disasters

This year has been host to a large number of natural disasters that have born a heavy price tag to the insurance industry. While natural disasters may not be happening more frequently, they are certainly happening in areas of dense population, making the damage they cause astronomical. Consumers often look to the insurance industry to provide protections against natural disasters, but the industry can only do so much. A new report from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School suggests that government policy, as well as consumer initiative, may significantly reduce…

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