Home Insurance Crisis Deepens Across America
A recent investigation by Spotlight on America has revealed a troubling trend in the United States, where skyrocketing home insurance rates and a record number of policy non-renewals are leaving homeowners vulnerable. The frequency of natural disasters, such as wildfires in California and hurricanes in the Southeast, is a significant factor driving this crisis. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse warned, “You’re seeing insurance companies go bankrupt, you’re seeing insurance companies abandon states, you’re seeing insurance companies abandon long-standing customers. You’re seeing prices quadruple.”
The upheaval in the property insurance market is not limited to high-risk coastal areas. States like Florida, Louisiana, North Carolina, and California experienced the highest rate of non-renewals, while states like Massachusetts, New Mexico, Utah, Nebraska, and Montana also faced significant non-renewals. Mark Friedlander, Senior Director of Media Relations for the Insurance Information Institute, explained that insurance companies pull back when they feel they have too much risk in a certain area, leading to non-renewals.
Home insurance rates have spiked nationwide, with 33 states seeing double-digit rate increases in 2024. Nebraska experienced the highest increase at 22.7%. Since 2019, Colorado, Utah, Nebraska, Arizona, Minnesota, and Iowa have seen cumulative increases of over 65%. Friedlander noted that states not traditionally considered high-risk are seeing increases due to other natural disasters, such as severe convective storms and wildfires.
The crisis is having a tangible impact on homeowners. In Florida, Tampa area resident Larry Bendik canceled his policy and went self-insured due to the sharp spike in rates. “Even if something happened, I would still get stuck with a big bill anyway,” Bendik said. A 2023 survey from the Insurance Information Institute showed that 12% of homeowners didn’t have home insurance, more than double the 5% in 2019.
Military Misconduct: Army Doctor Sentenced for Sexual Abuse
In a separate but equally concerning issue, a trusted Army doctor has been sentenced to more than 13 years in prison after pleading guilty to sexually abusing dozens of his patients at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Michael Stockin admitted to 41 counts of abuse and received a maximum sentence of 164 months in prison. Victims of Stockin’s abuse shared their experiences of betrayal and anger, highlighting the need for better support systems within the military.
Attorney Ryan Guilds, representing seven of Stockin’s victims, expressed concern over the military’s handling of the case, noting that only one out of the 41 victims had a victim advocate. “That’s unacceptable,” Guilds said, emphasizing the need for legal representation for victims. Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland urged service members to speak up if they experience abuse, stating, “You have nothing to be ashamed of. This is not your fault.”
Gun Trafficking: Mexico Sues U.S. Gun Manufacturers
The U.S. Supreme Court is considering a groundbreaking legal case pitting Mexico against several American gun makers and distributors. The plaintiffs accuse these companies of knowingly allowing their weapons to flow into the hands of cartels. Attorney Jonathan Lowy, representing Mexico, seeks $10 billion from 11 American gun makers and distributors, alleging that the guns are trafficked into Mexico and that the companies make “deliberate design, marketing, and distribution” choices to grow that market.
The American gun industry argues that straw buyers should be punished, not the gun makers, citing the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) that protects firearms manufacturers and dealers from being held liable when crimes have been committed with their products. The high court is expected to make a ruling in June.
These stories highlight the complex and interconnected issues facing the United States, from the growing home insurance crisis to military misconduct and the international implications of gun trafficking.
