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Larry Wheeler; Gannett News Service
Hurricane Andrew in 1992 and the Northridge earthquake in 1994 were two
watershed natural disasters that prompted significant changes in
homeowners' insurance. Here's what states have done since then:
* Florida. Andrew leveled areas south of Miami and caused $20.3 billion
in insured losses (in 2003 dollars). In response, the state created the
Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund, allowing insurance companies to
protect themselves against devastating losses. Companies now sell many
policies in which homeowners must pay deductibles of between 2% and 5%
of their home's insured value before insurance for windstorm damage
kicks in.
These policies replaced flat-fee policies, giving insurers greater
protection against loss. Windstorm policies don't cover damage caused by
the flooding a hurricane brings with its storm surge. Homeowners who
lived in designated flood-prone areas are required to buy federal
flood insurance that covers those damages. But people who live just
outside such areas aren't required to do so, and many don't.
The changes in insurance policies and rate increases are credited with
enabling the industry to remain stable after 2004's four hurricanes.
After Andrew, 11 insurers went bankrupt in Florida. Only one small
insurer went under this year.
The state also created Citizens Property Insurance Corp. to provide
insurance in areas where private insurers won't sell policies.
Citizens now has about one-third of all residential windstorm policies
in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, the state's three most
populous counties, and almost all such policies in the Florida Keys.
* California. After the Northridge earthquake ripped through the Los
Angeles area and caused $15.5 billion in insured losses (2003 dollars),
the state created the California Earthquake Authority, a public-private
insurer. Policies have deductibles ranging from 10% to 15% of a home's
insured value.
Owners of a home worth the October median price in Los Angeles County of
$409,000 would have to pay a deductible of $40,000 or more before
receiving any insurance settlement. Partly as a result of cost, the
share of California homes carrying earthquake insurance has dropped
from 35% in 1996 to 13% today.
California this year also enacted a "homeowner bill of rights" to
protect people from cancellation or non-renewal of their policies. A
public information campaign is underway to urge homeowners to avoid
"underinsurance" -- not having enough insurance to replace their homes.
* Alabama. Created a state-sanctioned insurer for coastal and beach
homeowners that can assess all insurance companies in the state for
losses that exceed premiums. Hurricane Ivan prompted a $20 million
assessment.
* Arkansas. Recently created the Arkansas Earthquake Authority, which
would offer earthquake insurance and be funded, initially, by insurers.
* Louisiana. Created the Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corp. as
insurer of "last resort" for coastal homeowners vulnerable to
hurricanes. The agency can pass extraordinary costs to policyholders
through a surcharge.
* Maryland. Required insurance agents to learn more about the National
Flood Insurance Program. The action came after Hurricane Isabel ravaged
the state in 2003. Many homeowners complained that they were unaware
that their policies did not cover flood damage.
* Mississippi. Studying whether insurance is needed to protect state and
local governments if the casinos and hotels suffer catastrophic losses
that interrupt $300 million in annual tax revenue.
* North Carolina. Launched a public information campaign to inform
residents of coastal and mountain areas of the need to purchase flood
insurance in addition to traditional homeowner's insurance.
* Texas. Texas Windstorm Insurance Association manages disaster fund of
about $310 million, paid for by policyholder premiums. Created a plan to
help homeowners in hail-prone areas and other regions where insurance is
not readily available. Insurance companies can offer
discounts to homeowners who build roofs with hail-resistant roofing
materials.
PHOTO, B/W, 1994 photo by Matt Mendelsohn, USA TODAY; A day after the
quake: Californians look at damage to the Santa Monica Freeway after it
collapsed in the Northridge earthquake Jan. 17, 1994.
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