The insurance market is under pressure. Carriers are tightening underwriting standards, raising premiums, and in some markets, pulling back on coverage altogether. Strengthening a property against damage from severe storms, high winds, and wildfire is one of the most effective ways to remain insurable, reduce costs, and recover faster when the next event hits.
Flood mitigation, tornado safe rooms, FORTIFIED construction, and Wildfire Prepared Home™ can each make a property more insurable. Mitigation and construction credits are the primary ways policyholders and insurers recognize the reduced risk that stronger construction provides. Many insurance companies and underwriters trust the reduced risk a FORTIFIED designation represents and can offer the insured a more affordable and comprehensive policy.
The cheapest insurance ends up costing you more. You pay insurance premiums to protect your family from economic disaster and to get a claim paid when bad things happen. Learn how the right coverage helps you recover and protects your home, property, and family.
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For Homeowners
Homeowners insurance, wind insurance, and flood insurance each cover different risks, and in coastal and storm-prone regions, all three may be necessary. Understanding what you have, what you're missing, and how to shop for better coverage is the first step toward real protection.
- Homeowners Insurance
- Top 10 Questions to Ask About Homeowners Insurance
- Wind Insurance
- Flood Insurance
- Shop for Insurance
For Business and Commercial Property Owners
Insurance plays a critical role in whether a business survives a disaster. FORTIFIED Commercial™ is a construction standard that reduces damage to commercial structures and helps businesses reopen more quickly after severe weather. Insurers and underwriters recognize a FORTIFIED designation as a measurable reduction in risk across a wide range of building types.
Beyond the building itself, businesses need a plan for how they will operate after a disaster disrupts their facility, employees, or supply chain. Review your coverage and your continuity plan before you need them.
Wildfire and Property Insurance
In states where wildfire poses a significant property risk, many insurers are reducing coverage or leaving the market. Home hardening and defensible space are among the most effective steps a property owner can take to remain insurable. The Wildfire Prepared Home™ program from IBHS provides a research-based path to designation and, in many cases, insurance discounts.
Smart Home America offers training and continuing education for insurance professionals on FORTIFIED, wind mitigation, wildfire resilience, and resilient construction. Explore insurance and real estate resources or schedule a training.