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Affordability, Auto Insurance, Catastrophes, Homeowners Insurance, Legal Environment

Florida Reforms Drive Benefits for Consumers

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By Lewis Nibbelin, Research Writer, Triple-I

Legal system reforms targeting fraud and excess litigation in Florida are helping drive renewed underwriting business and lower premium rates for consumers throughout the state, signaling ongoing improvements in the Sunshine State’s insurance market health, according to an S&P Global Market Intelligence analysis.

Post-reform, nearly 20 new property insurers have entered the Sunshine State and existing carriers have expanded their market share, fueling double-digit growth in direct written premiums for many of the state’s largest insurers in 2025. As policyholders shifted to the private market, policies in force for Citizens Property Insurance Corp. – the state-run insurer of last resort and previously the state’s largest residential insurance writer – dropped by 57.8 percent from 2024.

Premiums for Citizens policyholders fell 43.7 percent, alongside extensive premium reductions for thousands of Florida homeowners and drivers across the property/casualty insurance market. Florida’s top five auto insurance groups, for instance, averaged a more than 6 percent rate reduction through mid-year, accounting for 78 percent of the state’s auto market. These reductions have increased to an average of 8 percent based, on the most recent 2026 regulatory filings.

Claims-related litigation has also plummeted, slashing the market’s defense and cost containment expense ratio to 1.9 percent, S&P reported – a major decline from 8.4 percent in 2022, before the 2022 and 2023 reforms were fully implemented. In dollar terms, 2025 saw $537 million in direct incurred legal defense expenses, down from roughly $792 million the prior year and from $1.6 billion in 2022.

Amid decreasing litigation costs, Florida’s residential property insurers recorded over $2 billion in underwriting gains in 2025, with the state’s homeowners’ market posting its highest net income in more than a decade.

Favorable 2025 results are good news, but it’s important for policyholders and policymakers to remember the sustained, industry-wide reform efforts that underpin Florida’s current stability. Despite their measurable benefits to consumers, the reforms have faced repeated legislative attacks, threatening to undo much of this progress.

Florida’s strong market performance also reflects relatively mild catastrophe activity in 2025, including the absence of any U.S. hurricane landfalls. Though the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season is forecast to be “somewhat below normal,” ongoing caution is essential, as just one significant landfall could threaten recent market growth and leave lasting damage.

Compounding these challenges is Florida’s most severe drought in over 25 years, which has produced nearly 2,000 wildfires in 2026 year-to-date and impacted many areas traditionally considered low risk. With wildfire risks still looming, the shift underscores the dynamic headwinds that imperil the state, necessitating continued legislative support of reforms to keep coverage affordable and available in one of the most complex states to insure.

Learn More:

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Affordability, Auto Insurance, Homeowners Insurance, Insurers and the Economy, Legal Environment

Illinois Bill Would Hurt Insurers and Customers

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By Jeff Dunsavage, Head of Research Publications and Insights

Senate Bill 1486 – currently moving through the Illinois General Assembly – would unnecessarily burden insurers and hurt the customers it is intended to protect.

“The measure would add new regulatory layers that could impede the accurate pricing of risk while doing nothing to address the underlying causes of rising premiums,” Triple-I said in a recently published Policy Brief. “Premiums are increasing at different rates across the country, reflecting a mix of factors that include climate events, shifting populations, rising costs to repair and replace property, and legal system abuse.”

All these factors drive up the number and the cost of claims and, if not properly addressed, could erode the policyholder surplus insurers are required to keep on hand to pay claims. If surplus declines below levels mandated by regulators, insurers must raise rates or rethink their appetite for writing coverage in riskier states.

Neither option is good for consumers.

If affordability is the goal, the most effective path is cost reduction. Illinois leaders should model the behavior of states that are addressing the root causes of rising insurance premiums – not just treating the symptoms.

The brief also points out that both homeowners’ and personal auto insurance in Illinois is more affordable than the U.S. average, when measured as a ratio of average insurance expenditures to median household income.

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Affordability, Insurers and the Economy, Legal Environment

States Take the Lead on Third-Party Litigation Funding Reform

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By Lewis Nibbelin, Research Writer, Triple-I

The Louisiana Department of Insurance’s new partnership to combat marketing tactics tied to third-party litigation funding (TPLF) is only the latest in a wave of state efforts to limit the practice across the country.

TPLF occurs when outside investors profit from lawsuits by paying for legal costs in exchange for a share of the settlement or judgement if the suit wins. In practice, this incentivizes prolonged and unnecessary cases and can culminate in extreme nuclear verdicts of $10 million or more.

By partnering with the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) and digital intelligence company 4WARN to investigate and raise awareness of these practices, the Louisiana department aims to shield the public “from opportunists who manipulate the claims process to fuel excessive litigation, which is a primary driver of our high insurance costs,” said Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple.

A joint study from NICB and 4WARN reveals that third parties invested an estimated $380 million into online search ads from June 2024 to June 2025, attracting 27.8 million clicks to TPLF-hosted websites in June of last year alone. Some mislead policyholders into believing they are communicating with their insurer to escalate disputes before they talk to the insurance company, the Louisiana insurance department said, reflecting a coordinated online claimant recruitment system designed to promote legal system abuse.

Beyond inflating insurance premiums, TPLF costs each U.S. household more than $600 annually, at $192.79 per individual, in lost earnings and purchasing power, according to a report from the Perryman Group and Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse. Another finding suggests direct annual losses associated with TPLF total $35.8 billion as of 2024.

A growing trend

Legislation targeting TPLF reached a record nationwide high last year, including within a package of Georgia reforms that, among other things, requires litigation financiers to register with the state Department of Banking and Finance and prohibits them from influencing case outcomes, such as by making decisions related to settlements or counsel selection. In the wake of these reforms, the Peach State has welcomed a trend of major auto insurance rate reductions and unprecedented dividends for thousands of drivers.

More recently, a new Mississippi law that takes effect July 1 will mandate disclosure of foreign litigation funding to prevent foreign entities from exploiting the U.S. legal system for sensitive information. Utah passed its own bill in March, introducing comparable restrictions.

Legislation that passed a Michigan House committee earlier this month would bar foreign TPLF altogether, as well as require disclosure and registration of all funders in TPLF-backed cases. Similar bans on foreign TPLF have been proposed in Missouri, Tennessee, and Ohio, with bills in the latter two states both passing their state Houses.

Louisiana lawmakers have also introduced legislation to increase TPLF transparency, building on the state’s 2024 law introducing some oversight of foreign TPLF. The proposed bill would further require attorneys to disclose TPLF contracts either within 30 days of being retained as counsel or 30 days of entering a funding agreement, depending on whichever action comes first. Though the bill failed to receive a vote in the state’s previous legislative session, it continues to garner strong bipartisan support.

While Louisiana’s overall premium rates declined in 2025, including a 5.8 percent average decrease in auto premiums, Temple noted in a separate statement that “we should not necessarily expect to see this level of decrease in future years unless we continue to pursue legal reform that addresses the foundational reasons our rates are the highest in the country.”

Learn More:

Legal System Abuse Awareness Campaign Spreads Across U.S.

Florida Premiums Drop Amid Post-Reform Stability

Triple-I Legal System Abuse Awareness Campaign Enters California, Illinois

La. Auto Insurance Rates Benefit from Declines in Frequency, Severity

Reining in Third-Party Litigation Funding Gains Traction Nationwide

Significant Tort Reform Advances in Louisiana

Georgia Targets Legal System Abuse

Catastrophes, Disaster Preparedness, Disaster Resilience, Homeowners Insurance, Hurricane, Roof Condition, Severe Convective Storm, Tornado, Wind

Mississippi Set to Launch Roof Grant Program

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By Lewis Nibbelin, Research Writer, Triple-I

Mississippi recently adopted a program that will offer homeowners grants of up to $10,000 for roofs built to the FORTIFIED™ standard, following in the footsteps of states across the country to mitigate the rising frequency and severity of extreme weather.

Developed by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), the FORTIFIED™ standard can help reduce high wind and hail damage through construction methods like sealing roof decks and anchoring roofs to wall framing using stronger nails. While such standards remain voluntary, many insurers in Mississippi began providing premium discounts for homes that meet the designation, prompting state lawmakers to further incentivize their construction.

The Magnolia State is only the latest to follow Alabama’s lead, which largely pioneered these incentives through its own Strengthen Alabama Homes program, financed by the insurance industry with more than $86 million in grants since 2016. Designed to enhance community resiliency while also lowering insurance rates, completed retrofits earn residents premium discounts ranging from 25 to 55 percent.

Slated to begin accepting applications later this year, Strengthen Mississippi Homes authorizes the state’s insurance department to allocate $15 million a year towards grants and gives the department flexibility in determining grant eligibility as the program rolls out. More than one thousand homes are expected to qualify each year, including in inland areas and along the coast.

Notably, the new grant program builds on the state’s preexisting hurricane-specific mitigation initiative, in part reflecting growing nationwide vulnerability to other perils. While global insured losses fell below average in the first quarter of 2026, Gallagher Re analysis shows that U.S. convective storms were among the largest loss events, including a March tornado outbreak that killed multiple Mississippi residents and caused upwards of a billion dollars in insured damages throughout the Midwestern and Eastern U.S.

Mississippi ranked fourth in the nation for tornado frequency in 2025, at 111 tornadoes, according to data from the National Weather Service. Currently, it ranks second for such activity, at 48.

Modeling what works

Research from the Alabama Department of Insurance, in collaboration with the University of Alabama Center for Insurance Information and Research, has demonstrated the success of Strengthen Alabama Homes. The study found FORTIFIED homes suffered less property damage and fewer insurance claims than homes built using other construction methods when Hurricane Sally made landfall in the state.

Programs modeled on Alabama’s have sprouted throughout the United States, including in coastal Louisiana, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Farther inland, Oklahoma just opened its program statewide after three pilot launches last year, and Kentucky unveiled its $5 million program for the first time last month. Similar efforts are underway in Minnesota after the state established a grant program in 2023, with full implementation expected during 2026. Arkansas’ program also remains under development.

Insurers have long called for boosting roof resilience within and beyond hurricane-prone regions. IBHS research estimates 70 to 90 percent of storm-related insurance claims involve roof damage, meaning roof upgrades can substantially minimize losses and improve market stability, keeping insurance affordable and available for more homeowners. In addition to making homes safer, the study revealed FORTIFIED™ homes sell for nearly 7 percent more than similar homes with non-FORTIFIED™ roofs.

Mounting demand suggests such improvements are gaining traction even beyond state grant programs. An unprecedented 20,000-plus designations were issued in 2025 alone, at a 20 percent increase over the prior year, keeping IBHS on track to reach a nationwide total of 120,000 by the end of 2026.

Learn More:

Resilient Post-Wildfire Rebuilding Pays Off

Convective Storm Losses: Historic 3-Year Streak

Few, High-Powered Storms Defined 2025 Hurricane Season

Storm-Resistant Roof Efforts Gain Ground

Why Roof Resilience Matters More Than Ever

Industry Financials, Market Conditions

Fire and Allied Lines: Recent Success in a Challenging Market

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By William Nibbelin, Head of Industry Data and Actuarial Research, Triple-I

U.S. fire and allied lines have emerged as a standout performer within the property and casualty (P/C) industry, achieving a net combined ratio of 84.8 in 2024. This marks the lines’ best underwriting performance since 2007 and the third consecutive year they have outperformed the broader P/C industry, according to Triple-I’s latest Issues Brief.

This success is particularly notable given the industry’s five-year streak of underwriting losses between 2017 and 2021. Combined ratio is the most common measure of insurer underwriting profitability. It is calculated by dividing the sum of the claim-related losses and expenses by premium. A ratio over 100 indicates the industry is paying out more than it is taking in.

What are Fire and Allied Lines?

Though often grouped together, fire and allied lines serve distinct purposes:

  • Fire Insurance: Covers direct property damage caused by fire.
  • Allied Lines Insurance: Acts as a broader catch-all, covering damage from other perils, such as wind, water, and vandalism.

Together, they provide property protection comparable to that of a standard homeowners’ policy or commercial multi-peril policy, but without liability coverage. The market for these lines is predominantly commercial, protecting larger risks, such as retail shops, office buildings, warehouses, large farms, and schools. Some businesses with significant large-risk exposure may carry more than one fire and allied lines policy from multiple carriers, known as “stacking.”

Shifts in Market Distribution

The way fire and allied lines policies are sold has changed dramatically over the last decade. Standard insurance policies, which once made up two-thirds of the market, dropped to just under 53 percent in 2024.

In their place, two other segments have gained ground:

  • Excess and Surplus Market: This market, which handles higher-risk or non-standard properties, has grown significantly in market share, from 22 percent to over 36 percent
  • Residual Market: After a period of decline, the residual market (also known as the market of last resort) has grown at an annual rate of over 12 percent since 2020.

Severe Weather Amplifies Loss Trends

Weather has increasingly dictated the performance of both lines in recent years. Allied lines insurance, which covers wind and storm damage, has experienced quarterly loss ratios greater than those of fire insurance in 17 of the past 20 quarters due to mounting severe convective storm and hurricane damage.

Though the frequency of fire and wind incidents is similar across personal and commercial lines, the severity of these losses differs. Commercial policies, which cover larger risk properties like industrial facilities and corporate high-rises, tend to have lower frequency rates but much larger severity losses when a disaster strikes. This discrepancy suggests that while fire and wind incident frequency may be predictable, the high value of commercial assets makes every major claim a significant financial event.

Healthy Competition for Consumers

Despite the challenges posed by natural disasters, the fire and allied lines market remains exceptionally competitive. In 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice classified the lines both separately and combined as “unconcentrated,” as measured by the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI), meaning there is no single dominant player stifling competition.

The number of companies writing these policies has either grown or remained flat in every state with Alabama, California, Delaware, New Jersey, and New York among the most competitive markets. This level of competition is a positive sign for the industry’s long-term stability and for business owners seeking diverse coverage options.

Learn More:

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Convective Storm Losses: Historic 3-Year Streak

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Wildfire: State of the Risk

Excess and Surplus: State of the Risk

Catastrophes, Disaster Preparedness, Disaster Resilience, Roof Condition, Wildfire

Resilient Post-Wildfire Rebuilding Pays Off

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By Lewis Nibbelin, Research Writer, Triple-I

Recovery from wildfire devastation takes time, and building back with an eye toward greater resilience is essential. The average timeline for post-disaster reconstruction typically ranges from one to three years. Full economic recovery for communities impacted by the 2025 wildfires in Los Angeles County will likely take decades.

“Rebuilding after disaster requires more than just restoring what was lost,” stressed Janet Ruiz, Triple-I’s California-based communications director. “Take the time to build back stronger and with resilience in mind so your family, home, and community are better protected against ongoing wildfire risk.”

Many homeowners in the affected region are striving to rebuild smarter rather than rushing to replace what was lost, such as through the IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home™ program – a voluntary approach that empowers homeowners to reduce wildfire risk to their home and property.

“Spending time with families who lost everything in the Los Angeles wildfires, you feel how heavy every rebuilding decision is,” said Laura Blaul, senior wildfire fellow at the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS). “People aren’t just choosing materials, they’re asking, ‘Will this protect my home next time?’ Once homeowners understand how wildfire actually destroys homes – how embers, heat, and flames find their way in – they start asking better questions and making different choices.”

Depending on the project, these choices include investing in fire-rated roofing, ember-resistant vents, noncombustible sliding, and additional features outlined by the program’s Base and Plus Designations. Earning the latter can lead to premium discounts from some insurers, reflecting the program’s “science-backed and practical path” to “making homes more survivable and insurable,” Blaul said.

A painfully slow process

Debris removal and environmental testing before rebuilding began quickly for the communities hit hardest by the Los Angeles fires, but it may require months to years to complete. From there, homeowners must acquire permits to rebuild, which building codes and other regulations can delay. Throughout this process, homeowners and renters will work with their insurers and mortgage lenders to secure payments for damages, adding additional time.

Availability of contractors and building materials can create another bottleneck, especially with thousands of damaged L.A. homes needing immediate attention. Research from Associated Builders and Contractors indicates the construction industry must attract an estimated 349,000 new workers nationwide to keep pace with demand in 2026, suggesting construction backlogs beyond recovering areas will substantially stall rebuilding.

Families and communities benefit

A first-of-its-kind study from the California Department of Insurance and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners revealed that rebuilding L.A. communities to IBHS standards could reduce average wildfire losses by one-third, underscoring the widespread benefits of improved building construction at a property level.

More broadly, a separate report from Milliman, the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment, and the Western Fire Chiefs Association urges wildfire-prone states to prioritize risk mitigation over reactive fire suppression, particularly within the built environment. Providing a framework to improve resilience statewide, their report highlights strategies to identify and quantify wildfire risk and emphasizes the role of education and outreach to secure buy-in from property owners, community leaders, and other co-beneficiaries of risk reduction.

Resources for homeowners

Residents rebuilding after the fires can find guidance and assistance through:

Learn More:

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Resilience Investment Payoffs Outpace Future Costs More Than 30 Times

Catastrophes, Severe Convective Storm, Tornado, Wind

Illinois Storms Highlight Severe Weather Losses

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By Lewis Nibbelin, Research Writer, Triple-I

Thunderstorms threatening tornadoes, large hail, and flooding in Illinois this week are just the latest in an outbreak of severe weather within the state this year. As of April 17, the National Weather Service (NWS) has logged more than 300 storm reports for the Prairie State, which currently ranks first for both tornadoes and hail nationwide.

Trailing just behind Alabama, Georgia, and Ohio for severe wind, Illinois leads in severe weather overall with 130 hail events and 61 tornadoes. For comparison, the 25-year average for tornadoes in the state during an entire year is 61 tornadoes, based on final NWS data from 2000 to 2024. An estimated 147 tornadoes impacted the state in 2025 alone, with Illinois ranked second for tornadic activity after Texas.

Much of the damage thus far this year occurred during a series of March outbreaks that tracked through the Midwest, each expected to generate $1 billion or more in insured losses, according to initial estimates from Gallagher Re.

Marked by violent tornadoes, massive hail, and strong straight-line winds, the March 10-12 and March 15-16 storms collectively claimed multiple lives and damaged hundreds of homes and buildings across Illinois and dozens of other states, including major metro areas like Chicago. As such, Gallagher Re projects the direct economic costs of both events will be roughly 25 percent higher than eventual insured losses.

Among the communities hit hardest by the March 10-12 storms was Kankakee County, a suburb about 50 miles south of Chicago. Beyond a powerful EF3 tornado, the area also reported a potentially record-breaking hailstone for the state, observed as larger than the size of a grapefruit.

Surges in convective storm activity during spring and into June are typical, with March historically leading the season every year. Research suggests the severity of these events may rise, however, as hailstorms producing large stones become more common and tornadoes increasingly concentrate in outbreaks of days with multiple twisters.

Climate patterns shifting tornadoes farther east may also be raising the frequency of the peril in states traditionally considered lower risk. Because the Midwestern and Southeastern U.S. are more densely populated than the Plains, the path of individual tornadoes is more likely to cross with urban areas, leaving more people vulnerable and adding to the overall toll of tornadic activity.

Nationally, the NWS has so far this year reported 365 tornadoes, which is approximately 28 above the 1991 to 2020 U.S. tornado average through the end of April. This number is expected to continue rising this month as more rounds of severe storms develop in Illinois and countrywide.

Learn More:

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Disaster Preparedness, Disaster Resilience, Insurers and the Economy, Risk Management

Welcome Back, BRIC

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By Jeff Dunsavage, Head of Research Publications and Insights, Triple-I

The restoration of FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program after its sudden cancellation a year ago is good news for communities that will benefit from the program.

Congress established BRIC through the Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018 to ensure a stable funding source to support mitigation projects annually. Before its cancellation on April 4, 2025, the program had allocated more than $5 billion for investment in mitigation projects to alleviate human suffering and avoid economic losses from floods, wildfires, and other disasters.

At the time the program was cancelled, Chad Berginnis, executive director of the Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM), was critical of the decision.

 “Although ASFPM has had some qualms about how FEMA’s BRIC program was implemented, it was still a cornerstone of our nation’s hazard mitigation strategy, and the agency has worked to make improvements each year,” Berginnis said.

A coalition of 23 states challenged the cancellation and secured a court order requiring FEMA to restore billions in funding to communities that rely on the hazard-mitigation program. In a March 6 ruling, a U.S. district judge Richard G. Stearns gave FEMA 21days to unfreeze the approximately $750 million in grants that have been in limbo since the cancellation, which it did on March 31.

Tighter scrutiny

The restored BRIC program is largely the same statutory program, but now it operates under tighter judicial and congressional scrutiny. FEMA also explicitly states that the restored program:

  • Prioritizes infrastructure and construction projects that deliver immediate, measurable risk reduction;
  • Limits capability‑ and capacity‑building activities to those directly tied to infrastructure; and
  • Excludes stand‑alone planning activities not connected to physical mitigation outcomes

“BRIC isn’t a perfect program, but it’s a necessary one,” said Daniel Kaniewski, CEO of Northstar Risk & Resilience, a former FEMA deputy administrator, and a Triple-I non-resident scholar. “It was formed to help drive investment in creating disaster-resilient communities – a very real need.”

Kaniewski drew comparisons with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) “Risk Rating 2.0” reforms, which aligned NFIP premiums more closely with the risk characteristics of insured properties. Before the reforms, lower-risk property owners frequently subsidized the coverage of higher-risk homes. Risk Rating 2.0 made rates fairer and the program more fiscally sound. But further reforms to NFIP are necessary, just as BRIC may need to be updated based on lessons learned from the first few years of the program’s implementation. 

Kaniewski offered a final caution.

“BRIC alone – or any federal program on its own – isn’t going to close the nation’s disaster resilience gap,” he said. “It’s going to take community leaders, emergency managers, businesses, nonprofits – and, of course, the insurance industry – pulling in the same direction. The burden can’t exclusively fall on the property owners and federal taxpayers.”

Learn More:

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Convective Storm Losses: Historic 3-Year Streak

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Claims Leaders Take Charge on Climate-Resilient Rebuilding

Climate Nonprofits Take Responsibility for Terminated U.S. Databases

Resilience Investment Payoffs Outpace Future Costs More Than 30 Times

Health & Safety, Homeowners Insurance

Dog-Related Injury Claims on the Rise in 2025

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By Lewis Nibbelin, Research Writer, Triple-I

Insurers paid $1.86 billion in dog-related injury claims in 2025, up by 18.6 percent from 2024, according to research by Triple-I and State Farm.

The total number of dog-bite and related claims was 28,450, a more than 25 percent increase from 2024 and a 57 rise over the past decade. Though the average cost per claim fell to $65,450 – a 5.5 percent decrease from $69,272 in 2024 – costs also remained at a 97 percent rise over the past decade.

California and Florida continued to see the most claims in 2025 from 2024, with more than 2,000 claims in each state. New York filed the highest average cost per claim, at $92,154, followed by Connecticut and California.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), 45 percent of homes include at least one dog, for a total of approximately 90 million pet dogs in the United States. While most will coexist peacefully with us, dog bites remain a serious public health concern, with more than 4.5 million bites reported each year in the United States.

During National Dog Bite Prevention Week (April 12–18), a coalition of veterinarians, animal behavior experts, and insurance representatives urge the public to understand the risks dog bites pose to people and other pets and the steps required to prevent injuries.

“We’ve seen a 25 percent increase in dog bites in 2025 and yet, most dog bites are preventable. Children are especially vulnerable,” said Janet Ruiz, communications director at Triple-I. “Prevention starts with understanding how dogs communicate and teaching children how to interact with them safely.”

Tips to prevent dog bites

All dogs – even well-trained, gentle dogs – can bite when provoked, especially when eating, sleeping, or caring for puppies. To keep people and pets safe, the National Dog Bite Prevention Week Coalition provides the following tips:

  • Adopt wisely. Not every dog is a perfect match for every family. Choose a dog suited for your lifestyle and household, including other pets.
  • Socialize your dog. Try to expose your dogs to new situations gradually and for short periods of time. Arrange for low-stress interactions and give plenty of praise and rewards for good behavior.
  • Educate yourself in positive training techniques and on the unique needs and behaviors of your dog. Learn the signs that your dog is stressed or uncomfortable and be prepared to advocate for them in all situations.
  • Always supervise children around dogs, even family pets. More than half of all dog-related injuries are to children.
  • Always leash your dog on walks and make sure fences and gates are secure if they spend time in a yard.
  • Keep your pet healthy. Not all illnesses and injuries are obvious, and dogs are more likely to bite if they are sick or in pain. If you haven’t been to the veterinarian in a while, schedule an appointment for a checkup to discuss your dog’s physical and behavioral health.

Pet owners should review their policies with an insurance professional to ensure they have adequate coverage for every pet in the household. Standard homeowners’ and renters’ insurance typically cover dog-bite liability legal expenses up to the liability limits of the policy (usually $100,000 to $300,000), with dog owners responsible for any damages above that amount.

Pet insurance policies can also offer tailored protection for pets from accidents and/or illnesses. While insurers typically do not provide coverage for pre-existing conditions, separate plans may be available for routine preventative care such as vaccines and annual exams.

Learn More:

Spotlight on: Dog Bite Liability

Facts + Statistics: Pet Ownership and Insurance

Liability and Safety Tips for Dog Owners

Tips to Prevent Dog Bites

Catastrophes, Disaster Resilience, Roof Condition, Severe Convective Storm, Tornado, Wind

Convective Storm Losses: Historic 3-Year Streak

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By Lewis Nibbelin, Research Writer, Triple-I

Despite a relatively mild Atlantic hurricane season, the United States reported another costly year of natural catastrophe events in 2025, driven largely by the $51 billion in annual insured losses from severe convective storms, according to Gallagher Re estimates.

Trailing behind only 2023 and 2024 in such losses, the year ranks as the third costliest on record for the peril, producing more than $68 billion in total economic damages. A new Triple-I Issues Brief examines the demographic shifts and evolving weather and climate patterns behind the devastation, particularly as convective storm activity increasingly impacts dense urban areas.

Tornado activity surges

Preliminary data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) indicates at least 1,559 tornadoes were reported in 2025, roughly 127 percent of the annual 1,225 historical average. Though advancements in doppler radar and other technologies have improved observations, some climate experts suggest activity has become increasingly concentrated in outbreaks of days with multiple tornadoes.

A record 300 twisters spawned in March alone, with more than 100 confirmed across 15 states during mid-month. Generating $8.4 billion in insured losses, the early season outbreak is the fourth costliest of its kind on record and led to two EF4 tornadoes in Arkansas, the first time in decades that such a convergence had been reported.

Hail takes center stage

Hail accounts for as much as 80 percent of severe convective storm claims in any given year, causing an estimated $10 billion in annual U.S. property damage for more than a decade. Roofs bear the brunt of this damage, facilitating an estimated 70 to 90 percent of total insured residential catastrophic losses.

To better understand hail formation and impact, Victor Gensini – Northern Illinois University meteorology professor and Triple-I non-resident scholar – recently co-led the largest hail study ever conducted, known as ICECHIP. Funded with an $11 million grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation, the field study sent more than 100 scientists across the Great Plains to analyze hailstorms during summer 2025. The Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety also participated, as part of its ongoing efforts to develop severe weather-resilient construction standards.

Partners in resilience

Every $1 spent on hazard mitigation can save up to $33 in future disaster costs, according to a report from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Allstate. Modern building codes are essential to achieving these outcomes, as is leveraging tools like aerial imagery and artificial intelligence to help predict and prevent losses before they occur.

Numerous private sector nonprofits have also stepped up to fill in research and mitigation gaps left by various federal funding and staffing cuts last year. Climate Central, for instance, has released its first billion-dollar weather and climate disaster report since assuming responsibility for that dataset last year from NOAA, reporting 21 such events from severe convective storms alone, more than any prior year on record.

Learn More:

Claims Leaders Take Charge on Climate-Resilient Rebuilding

Climate Nonprofits Take Responsibility for Terminated U.S. Databases

Industry, Universities Team Up to Study Convective Storms

Storm-Resistant Roof Efforts Gain Ground

Resilience Investment Payoffs Outpace Future Costs More Than 30 Times

Why Roof Resilience Matters More Than Ever

Weather Balloons’ Role in Readiness, Resilience

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