Reduce Your Risk Against Climate-Related Losses

No matter where you live, your home is at risk for a climate-related loss. To protect the life you've built, learn what the risks are and how to reduce them.  

Know Your Risk  
Floods, hail, wind, snow, ice, and wildfire can occur anywhere. A National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) survey says about 75% of homeowners consider weather-related threats as the biggest risks to their homes.  

• Wildfire  
  Verisk’s 2019 Wildfire Risk Analysis says 4.5 million homes in the United States were at high or extreme risk of wildfire.  

• Flood and Rain 
  About a quarter of all flood losses happen in homes outside of high-risk areas. In high-risk areas, there is a 25% chance of flooding during a 30-year mortgage.  

• Hail and Wind 
  According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Annual Severe Weather Report, there were more than 4,600 major hailstorms reported in the U.S. in 2020, which caused about $8 to $14 million in insurance losses.  

Damage from strong winds associated with thunderstorms make up half of all reported losses and is more common than damage from tornadoes, according to the report.  

• Snow and Ice 
  Heavy snow and ice can cause your home’s roof to collapse if it’s not in good condition. Ice dams can damage gutters or shingles and cause water to melt into your home.  

• Check these resources to determine your risk from each weather event: 

  • National Weather Service’s Forecast and Hazard Map 
  • FEMA’s National Risk Index 
  • FEMA’s flood maps 
  • Insurance Institute for Building and Home Safety (IBHS) 
  • NOAA’s Annual Severe Weather Report 

What To Do  
There are actions you can take to mitigate your risk, protect your home, and preserve your finances. According to an NAIC survey, about 50% of homeowners have NOT made any changes to protect their homes from weather-related risks. Here are ways to reduce your risk.  

Wildfire  

• Remove dead shrubbery, and any trees that hang above your roof, as they are likely to spread flames and embers.  

• Don’t store anything under decks or porches, clear gutters, and use non-combustible materials around your home to prevent the spread of wildfires.  

Flood and Rain  

• Homeowners policies typically do not cover floods so you may want to consider buying a separate flood policy. 

• Install a water alarm to provide an alert when water begins accumulating in the basement to get ahead of flooding.  

• Make sure sump pumps are charged, working, and have a backup power supply available. 

Hail and Wind 

• Move loose items, like patio furniture, inside before storms. Remove dead or loose trees and branches, as the wind can move them during storms.  

Snow and Ice  

• Prune Trees and Clear Gutters. Look at the trees around your property and cut back branches or stems that are dead, dying, diseased, or broken. Clearing the debris from your gutters will help prevent ice dams by allowing meltwater to drain freely.  

Top Takeaways  

• Know your risk. Severe weather events can happen any time of year, in any location. 

• Prepare in advance to protect your home by checking which losses you are likely to experience based on your location. You can use these resources:  

  • National Weather Service’s Forecast and Hazard Map 
  • FEMA’s National Risk Index 
  • FEMA’s flood maps 
  • Insurance Institute for Building and Home Safety (IBHS) 
  • NOAA’s Annual Severe Weather Report 

• Reduce your risk. You can make low-cost or free changes to your home that will make it more resilient against severe weather.  You can learn more from these additional mitigation resources:  

  • Wildfire Risk to Communities  

  • Weekend Wildfire Preparedness projects. 

  • NAIC’s Home Inventory App. 

  • IBHS’s FORTIFIED standards