“The real estate insurance market is going through significant changes,” says independent agent Stephen Turnbull. “Rising construction costs and inflation have made it more expensive to rebuild properties, leading to higher replacement cost values and increased premiums.”
“It’s on us to understand what opportunities technology provides our industry to be more efficient and grow at a faster rate than generations before us,” says young agent Ryder Roberts.
2024 saw the second-highest amount of tornadoes on record and 2025 is predicted to continue above-average activity. One weekend alone in mid-May caused $9 billion-$11 billion in damage.
Despite rising concerns, 26% of commercial property owners admit to knowingly carrying inadequate insurance coverage to account for severe weather events, an 8-point increase from 2023.
As insurers increase their underwriting restrictions to limit storm exposures, risk mitigation is becoming more important than ever for commercial insureds.
The guidelines for the federally funded program include maintaining properties in compliance with local housing codes, passing periodic inspections by housing authorities and following strict eviction and lease termination procedures.
A contractor with an ISO commercial general liability policy experienced a property damage claim. The carrier says it owes the actual cash value (ACV) for repairs but the agent believes the carrier owes the full cost to repair.
A client’s commercial property suffered wind damage. Repair estimates were approved, but weather delayed the repair and the costs increased. The adjustor is denying the additional repair costs.
With factors such as an aging workforce and economic fluctuations pushing material and wage costs higher, agents can help their clients purchase adequate builders risk coverage.
“Although we may be coming out of one of the most difficult periods in insurance history, some areas might still see increasing premiums for another 12-18 months,” says independent agent Guffy Wright. “Factors like claim volume, social inflation, weather patterns and fraud will continue to play major roles.”
