Insurance

The changing climate is increasing insurance rates for residents and cities and lowering property values in areas that face more frequent and intense disasters.

A senior advisor at NAIC, the association of state insurance regulators, told attendees of its fall meeting that the imminent FEMA Review Council report should answer questions about funding for disaster relief and flood insurance, as well as other related issues.

In a world assailed by extreme weather, homeowners and purchasers need to know their property's vulnerability to wildfire or flooding. Ratings like those Zillow took down are a big improvement on often outdated federal flood maps and state wildfire maps. 

Flood Quotes and the Flood Insurance Portal allows users to compare quotes and purchase policies directly through the platforms.

Rising Part B costs will absorb much of Social Security's 2026 cost-of-living adjustment — leaving less room in retirees' budgets.

The average premium increase is 64% or $600 a year more, and in some states the rate would go up by more than $1,000, the comparison shopping platform found.

Representatives of the insurance industry called the proposal too speculative and prescriptive, while consumer and environmental advocates say it doesn't go far enough.

The hidden costs of homeownership total nearly $16,000, rising 4.7% in the past year.

Congressmen introduced the Retroactive Renewal and Reauthorization Act to the House Monday, with hopes to backdate the reauthorization of the insurance program.

Of the 15 states most affected by natural disasters, California and Florida had the highest non-renewal rates in 2024, a Weiss Ratings study found.

Kin, a direct-to-consumer insurance provider, has started a mortgage broker in Florida which also takes loan applications through a call center or online.

A lapse in the National Flood Insurance Program because of the US government shutdown threatens to snarl home sales in the nation's riskiest floodplains and leave some homeowners without coverage in the middle of hurricane season.

The first government shutdown since 2019 will slow flood insurance originations and new Small Business Administration loans, though self-funded banking regulators will continue operating as usual.

Jerry Halbrook, who also held key roles at a number of mortgage lenders like Pennymac and Nexstar, has been named president and COO of Covered Insurance.

AB 226, still subject to governor's approval, allows likely $1 billion of borrowing to cope with strains on the state's insurer of last resort.

Consumers are so concerned about rising costs that they often forego coverage altogether, according to two separate studies from Valuepenguin and Realtor.com.

Mortgage lenders could face NFIP lapses and a government shutdown, but can take specific steps now to safeguard borrowers.

Premiums for property insurance have risen over 69% since 2019, far outpacing other components of the monthly mortgage payment, ICE Mortgage Technology found.

The home insurer's objections to an in-person public hearing with regulators are dismissed by a California administrative judge, along with efforts to separate and postpone wildfire claim handling complaints from the rate hearings.

The new affiliate, NAF Insurance Services, is teaming up with The Baldwin Group to offer a range of coverage from more than 50 carriers nationwide.