WASHINGTON, DC – A new analysis confirms what homeowners have known for years: home insurance costs are now shaping how Americans vote. Premiums have risen 46% since 2021, nearly triple the rate of inflation, and 58% of voters say rising costs will make them more likely to turn out this fall. More than a quarter of voters say premium hikes are directly influencing their vote, a share that climbs to 65% in Florida and 61% in California.
Four states, including California and Georgia, elect their insurance commissioners directly this year, and all four saw major premium jumps last year. Meanwhile, governors in 33 of 39 states where the post is appointed are on the ballot, yet most candidates rarely speak about home insurance, if at all. And, voters are not just calling on state officials to do something, they are demanding Congress and the federal government action as well.
“Homeowners’ and small businesses’ skyrocketing insurance bills is the outcome of policy choices by elected officials. Every rate hike, every canceled policy, every denied claim traces back to lawmakers who let insurers write their own rules while gutting risk mitigation and disaster funding that could bring costs down,” said Jayson O’Neill, spokesperson for Unlocking America’s Future. “Republican congressional members in swing districts have taken insurance industry money, voted to slash the FEMA funds their constituents need, and stayed silent as premiums soared. Homeowners deserve leaders willing to hold this industry accountable, not ones counting on voters not to pay attention before November.”
The polling reflects similar findings by Climate Power and the Insurance Fairness Project across the Midwest and South where 83-86% say elected officials should be doing more to address this crisis. Voters consistently cited federal officials and insurers for doing ‘too little’ when it comes to addressing the cost of home insurance.
The climate risk shift onto policyholders has been unprecedented under the Trump administration and Republican-controlled Congress as they work to protect big polluters. Meanwhile, property and casualty insurance corporations post record profits and surplus reserves hit an all-time high of $1.27 trillion last year. An explosive new Government Accountability Office report released this week exposes the workforce shortages undermining FEMA and the nation’s preparedness and recovery efforts in the face of more damaging climate-driven events. Federal forecasting, preparedness, management, response, and recovery have all suffered due to the reckless and chaotic DOGE cuts under Trump and congressional Republicans’ signature legislation.
UAF has repeatedly called on elected officials and states to defend their constituents and hold home insurers accountable.
Email jayson@focalpointstrategygroup.com to set up interviews with ratings, legal, advocacy, and insurance experts.
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