The majority of homeowners either don’t think climate change is behind increased homeowners insurance rates, or aren’t sure if there’s a connection, according to the 2026 Insurance and Climate Change survey conducted by Insurance.com. The survey found that 43% believe climate change is impacting the home insurance market, while 32% say it isn’t, and the remaining 25% aren’t sure. Of those who have seen an increase in rates, fewer than half (41%) attribute it to climate risk.

Experts, however, see a strong link between climate change and homeowners insurance. A 2024 Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report found that climate change is straining insurers’ resources, resulting in rate increases. Similarly, a 2025 U.S. Department of the Treasury Federal Insurance Office (FIO) report found that homeowners in areas subject to severe weather events are paying more for homeowners insurance as insurers respond to climate change-related costs.

Furthermore, most people aren’t increasing their coverage to keep up with rebuilding costs. The survey found 69% of homeowners have made no change to their coverage. Rex Frazier, president of the Personal Insurance Federation of California, points to rising costs as a common reason people don’t buy more coverage.

“People are still making the individual economically rational decision for how much insurance they can afford,” he said. “People are more likely to buy the amount they need that is required for their mortgage.

But are they really going to buy more? There’s every reason to think, no, they’re not going to survey that local market, see these big contractor costs.” The increased costs go beyond premiums; insurers are passing more costs to homeowners through weather-specific deductibles, commonly for hail and windstorms, as noted by consumer advocacy agency United Policyholders.

Quick Coverage:

• 43% of surveyed homeowners think climate change is impacting the home insurance market in their area.
• 32% of those who shopped for home insurance recently felt that weather or natural disaster risk has made it harder to find coverage.
• 9% of homeowners have increased their coverage levels, while 11% have added additional coverage, either flood or windstorm.
• 41% of those who saw a rate increase in the past year believe it’s climate change-related.

Do homeowners believe climate change is affecting the home insurance market?

While some people do see the connection, the majority either don’t or aren’t sure. Only 43% of homeowners believe climate change is impacting home insurance in their area. Thirty-two percent say they don’t think climate change affects rates, and 25% are unsure.

More than half of homeowners either don’t see a connection between climate change and their insurance rates or aren’t sure whether one exists. This uncertainty may reflect how difficult it is for policyholders to see the factors insurers use to set premiums.

Climate and weather risk can affect homeowners insurance pricing in several ways. Insurers use catastrophe models to estimate the likelihood and potential cost of future disasters, while claims history shows how much insurers have paid for past losses. Reinsurance-the coverage insurers buy to help pay for large-scale losses-is another factor. Changes in any of these costs can affect homeowners insurance premiums, even when the reason for a rate increase isn’t obvious to the policyholder.

Is it harder to get home insurance because of natural disaster risk?

While 49% of respondents say weather-related risks haven’t made it harder to get home insurance, 23% say it’s become harder to get appropriate coverage.

Climate and weather risk can affect homeowners insurance pricing in several ways. Insurers use catastrophe models to estimate the likelihood and potential cost of future disasters, while claims history shows how much insurers have paid for past losses. Reinsurance-the coverage insurers buy to help pay for large-scale losses-is another factor. Changes in any of these costs can affect homeowners insurance premiums, even when the reason for a rate increase isn’t obvious to the policyholder. Is it harder to get home insurance because of natural disaster risk? While 49% of respondents say weather-related risks haven’t made it harder to get home insurance, 23% say it’s become harder to get appropriate coverage.

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