Consumer Reports is urging 28 CEOs from the nation’s largest homeowners insurance groups to do more for their policyholders by adopting the advocacy group’s Homeowners Insurance Bill of Rights.
Armed with a petition of 44,532 signatures, Consumer Reports pleaded with executives from companies including State Farm, Allstate, USAA, Liberty Mutual and Farmers to add more protections and strengthen fairness and transparency amid rising premiums, unexpected policy cancellations and shrinking access to coverage.
“Homeowners across the U.S. are facing skyrocketing premiums, sudden non-renewals and confusion about what is and isn’t covered,” said Sara Enright, senior director of safety and sustainability at Consumer Reports.
“These basic protections would help consumers be more informed, stay safer, and be more resilient when disaster strikes,” she added. “We have already had some constructive conversations with insurers and their industry associations, and look forward to further engagement.”
Homeowners face rising premiums and shrinking coverage:
Consumer Reports: Extreme weather, inflation, and rising construction costs, among other pressures, have destabilized the home insurance market, leading to rate hikes, shrinking coverage, unexpected cancellations, and limited options for consumers seeking better coverage.
Consumer Reports: CR’s 2024–2025 survey of 23,917 U.S. homeowners insurance policyholders found that more than half saw their premiums increase in the past year—with some reporting their costs had doubled or even tripled—and nine percent had their coverage dropped. In CR’s collection of nearly 600 consumer stories, homeowners described abrupt changes to their policies, unexpected costs, and difficulty finding reliable alternatives.
Consumer Reports: The petition underscores broad consumer support for greater stability and stronger consumer protections in the marketplace.
Homeowners Insurance Bill of Rights:
1. A clear, plain-language explanation of what is and isn’t covered—before purchase or renewal.
2. Know which risk factors are used to determine eligibility and set rates.
3. Fair access to coverage based on property risk, not your finances.
4. Adequate notice before cancellations, nonrenewals, or steep premium hikes.
5. Meaningful incentives for homeowners who take steps to harden their homes.
6. Protections against cancellations or non-renewals in the aftermath of declared States of Emergency.
7. Freedom from penalties for inquiries or claims that result in no payout.
8. Prompt, full, and fair claim payments, with accountability for delays.
9. Immediate financial assistance for emergency housing and essential needs after a disaster, with limited paperwork.
(Photo credit: Robert Kneschke)
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