Treasury Dept. releases homeowners insurance data to support disaster resilience

The U.S. Department of the Treasury has released a report and dataset on the U.S. homeowners insurance market, aiming to inform disaster resilience efforts. The newly available data provides ZIP code-level insights into areas where natural hazards intersect with insurance coverage, potentially guiding policymakers and private entities in implementing homeowner-focused improvements such as fortified roofs and impact-rated openings.

According to the Treasury's release, the dataset encompasses over 330 insurers and more than 246 million homeowners policies aggregated at the ZIP-code level for the years 2018–2022. This detailed information allows for precise hazard-focused analysis, enabling states and private programs to direct voluntary mitigation credits toward neighborhoods most exposed to natural disasters. The transparency offered by this data supports homeowner choice while encouraging documented upgrades that insurers can verify.

The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) reported that homes designated as FORTIFIED had significantly fewer claims and lower severity compared to non-certified homes. These outcomes suggest that certified improvements in roofing, openings, and load paths materially reduce storm-related losses. The findings advocate for premium credits that reward homeowners who choose to implement audited, disaster-focused upgrades.

Established in 1789 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., the Treasury Department oversees federal finance and houses the Federal Insurance Office, which provides expertise in insurance matters and data transparency. By releasing this homeowners' data, Treasury aims to equip state regulators, insurers, and consumers with tools to advance market-driven resilience improvements. The focus on accessible datasets aligns with strategies that respect homeowner autonomy while enhancing disaster readiness.