Home insurance

NPR - Home insurance premiums across the U.S. jumped by an average of 24% in recent years, partly because climate change is driving more intense storms, floods and wildfires, according to the Consumer Federation of America. Insurers and banks have become cautious, backing away from some of the most vulnerable areas, such as coastal communities and regions prone to wildfires. As these insurers drop customers living in high-risk areas, Americans have been pushed into expensive state-run plans with limited coverage. Homeowners who have lost their insurance struggle to rebuild or move after disasters. One effective way to reduce insurance costs is for homeowners and communities to invest in protective measures against storms and fires, such as installing fortified roofs and thinning forest vegetation. Here's what you need to know about the state of America's fragile insurance markets and the efforts being made to fix them.