CBS News: Rising flood worries in Minnesota sparking questions about insurance coverage
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 30, 2025
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CBS News: Rising flood worries in Minnesota sparking questions about insurance coverage
Yesterday, CBS News revealed how extreme rain is putting more Minnesotans at risk of flooding, with half of flood damage now occurring outside mapped flood zones in the state and adding to the ongoing property insurance crisis in the state.
Excerpts:
Heavy rain events are becoming more frequent and intense in Minnesota due to worsening droughts and flooding as a result of climate change.
"We're having a change in these weather patterns where we have these really extended dry stretches, which is not good for the ground, and then turning over into these really big bursts of heavy rain because warm air is holding more moisture," said Joseph Dames, WCCO NEXT Weather Meteorologist. [...]
Approximately half of flood damage now occurs outside mapped flood zones, according to the Minnesota DNR.
After devastating storms, homeowners face a serious problem beyond drying out — paying for the cleanup.
"Flood insurance isn't included in the standard homeowner's insurance policies, and most Americans don't know that," said Bankrate Insurance Analyst Kathleen Howley. [...]
To get protection from major flooding, a separate policy is needed. Most get it through the National Flood Insurance Program run by FEMA. The national average annual cost for one of those policies was $870 in 2024. [...]
Experts in insurance and weather are calling on all homeowners to consider flood insurance because they believe it's going to be a continued issue.
Read the full story here.
Rising flood risk is not isolated to Minnesota, with severe storms in the heartland states in early April flooding thousands of communities. Many impacted homeowners either had no flood insurance or were covered by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), currently at risk of expiring on September 30 unless Congress or state officials take action.
The NFIP is a lifeline for 4.7 million Americans in flood-prone areas who either can’t afford or access private flood insurance. With risk areas expanding, the NFIP is becoming more vital, even as it faces an uncertain future.
“States across the U.S are seeing their flood risk go up while lifeline coverage like the National Flood Insurance Program face possible elimination, leaving millions vulnerable,” said TJ Helmstetter, spokesperson for the Insurance Fairness Project. “Now is the time for regulators and elected leaders to step in and provide solutions to protect communities from extreme weather, and take steps to make sure insurance is affordable and accessible.”
National Polling
The Insurance Fairness Project’s recent poll found that insurance is top of mind for American voters keenly aware of their vulnerability:
78% of voters are at least somewhat concerned about rising property insurance prices, with 40% saying they are “very concerned”;
66% are concerned about increasing extreme weather events;
74% have either been personally impacted by extreme weather or know someone else who has;
A majority of voters think the federal government and state governments are doing too little to protect consumers and hold insurance companies accountable.
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The Insurance Fairness Project is an information hub dedicated to offering insights into the home insurance crisis, exploring its drivers and highlighting solutions alongside issue experts and community advocates.
