Governor Polis and Division of Insurance: We Must Find Innovative Solutions to Save Colorado Homeowners Money on Insurance Costs
Fortifying roofs against hail and targeted wildfire solutions can bring insurance rates down for Coloradans
DENVER - Today, Governor Polis and the Colorado Division of Insurance (DOI), part of the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), released new data from homeowner insurance carriers showing that in many counties hail is the largest cost driver of homeowners insurance spikes. In an effort to better understand the breakdown of homeowners insurance rates, DOI requested data from 20 homeowners insurance carriers, representing 80% of the market. This data was used to calculate average homeowners insurance premiums for 11 counties from across the state, including how much of a policyholder’s premium is attributable to hail and wildfire risks, and to understand mitigation discounts available for hail and wildfire mitigation.
“We know that homeowners insurance simply costs too much, and saving home homeowners money on insurance must be a part of the overall solution to lower the cost of housing. This data clearly outlines the problem, and now we must take innovative actions to lower insurance premiums, save people money, and increase home resilience and safety,” said Governor Polis.
The data found that hail accounts for an average 26-54% of total homeowner insurance premium, depending on the county. Even counties that don’t experience as much hail as Colorado’s Front Range and Eastern Plains are still paying a high percentage of premiums on hail. For example, in Summit County, which does not often experience hail given its mountainous terrain and lack of overall moisture, hail accounts for an average 35.6% of premiums while wildfire only accounts for 7.9%. And along the Front Range and into the Eastern Plains, hail accounts for approximately 50% of the premium homeowners pay, while wildfire has a much smaller impact.
Wildfire risk is not as significant a contributor to homeowner insurance premium, representing 0.9 - 24.6%, depending on the county. The data also shows that insurance carriers are targeting high-risk areas when pricing for wildfire risk, with low-risk counties seeing much less of their premiums going towards wildfire risk. Denver, for example, only sees an average 1% of premiums going towards wildfire risk.
“The data is clear: it is hail that is the biggest cost driver of homeowner insurance for families across the state. Even Coloradans who don’t live in hail-prone areas, such as in mountain communities, are paying for hail damage through their premiums. We can’t change the weather in Colorado, but we can and should help consumers in high risk areas fortify their roofs because that will help lower everyone's premiums. And we have to find innovative solutions to help address affordability in our high wildfire areas of the state. To that end, we’re working with the Colorado General Assembly again this year on legislation to create a grant program for fortifying roofs, as well as a reinsurance program for wildfires,” said Colorado Insurance Commissioner Michael Conway.
The Colorado Division of Insurance (DOI), part of the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), regulates the insurance industry and assists consumers and other stakeholders with insurance issues. Visit doi.colorado.gov for more information or call 303-894-7499 / toll free 800-930-3745.
About DORA:
DORA is dedicated to preserving the integrity of the marketplace and is committed to promoting a fair and competitive business environment in Colorado. Consumer protection is our mission. Visit dora.colorado.gov for more information or call 303-894-7855 / toll free 800-886-7675.
