Treasury Dept. releases homeowners insurance data to support disaster resilience

Scott Bessent, Secretary of the Treasury, U.S. Department of the Treasury
Scott Bessent, Secretary of the Treasury, U.S. Department of the Treasury - U.S. Department of the Treasury
0Comments

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.



Related

Sean Harper, CEO & Co-founder of Kin

Reciprocal insurance exchanges expanding in catastrophe-prone states

Reciprocal insurance exchanges are gaining traction as traditional insurers retreat from high-risk areas due to climate-related challenges.

Sean Harper, CEO of Kin

Kin reports nearly half of U.S. Homeowners consider moving over climate concerns

The inaugural Kin report reveals significant homeowner concerns regarding climate change impacts on relocation decisions and rising insurance costs.

Sean Harper, CEO and Founder of Kin

Kin survey shows most California homeowners take steps to reduce wildfire risk

A recent survey by Kin Insurance reveals that a significant majority of California homeowners have adopted measures to mitigate wildfire risks, which could influence their insurance costs positively.

Trending

The Weekly Newsletter

Sign-up for the Weekly Newsletter from Insurance Rate Review.