How Rising Insurance Rates Are Squeezing California Homebuyers

California Homebuyers

California’s Home Insurance Challenges: A Growing Concern In recent years, the California real estate market has faced increasing challenges, with one of the most pressing issues being the difficulty in securing home insurance. According to a recent survey by the California Association of Realtors (CAR), the problem has intensified, impacting home sales and affecting both buyers and sellers across the state. Escrow Hurdles and Home Sales Impact The CAR survey, which included nearly 3,000 Realtors, highlighted that 13% experienced a home sale falling through due to the buyer’s inability to…

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Hurricane Helene’s Unyielding Wrath on Florida’s Insurance Market

Hurricane Helene in Florida

Devastating Storm Hits the Southeast Making landfall late Thursday night, Hurricane Helene unleashed its fury on Florida and extended its reach far inland to the Southeast and Appalachia. The storm’s torrential rains and fierce winds resulted in extensive flooding and property damage, marking one of the most severe weather events of the year. As the storm battered homes, it left behind a daunting trail of destruction, with early estimates suggesting up to $6 billion in private insurance losses. This catastrophic event has once again underscored the vulnerabilities within Florida’s already…

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Grapefruit-Sized Hail? Climate Change Could Bring Giant Ice Stones

Grapefruit-Sized Hail

Introduction to the Giant Hailstones Study A new study published in the journal npj Climate and Atmospheric Science covered by USA Today predicts an increase in ice stones larger than two inches as a result of climate change. This situation could pose challenges for individuals with hail-damaged cars, including dents and shattered windshields, as well as for the auto insurance industry, which has been implementing record rate increases in 2024. Is there a connection between these two issues? Climate Change and Hailstone Growth The study, co-authored by Victor Gensini, an…

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New Vermont farm insurance for extreme weather proposed by senators

Farm Insurance - New Law in Vermont

The increasing risk of flooding has the lawmakers looking to ways of protecting producers Following the flooding experienced by farmers in Vermont last year, a survey showed that 70 percent of them didn’t have farm insurance to cover their crops and/or livestock. Coverage wasn’t always available This wasn’t just a matter of choosing not to obtain coverage. For another 10 percent of the respondents, the type of farm insurance they would have needed didn’t exist.  This meant that only about one in every five food producers had coverage in place…

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Insurance Exodus Update: Why Iowa is Losing Its Insurers Now

Insurance Exodus - Iowa

The recent departure of multiple insurance companies from Iowa’s homeowners’ market has sent shockwaves through the state. The New York Times reported that insurers are pulling out due to severe financial losses driven by unprecedented weather patterns. This move raises significant concerns for homeowners and demands a closer look at what has led to this exodus. The Insurance Turmoil Caused by Climate Change The insurance turmoil caused by climate change — which had been concentrated in Florida, California, and Louisiana — is fast becoming a contagion, spreading to states such…

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