There’s nothing “once-in-a-generation” about extreme weather anymore. In 2024, the U.S. declared a major natural disaster an average of nearly every four days, according to an analysis by the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED). From wildfires to hurricanes to flash floods, the pace and severity of climate-related events is accelerating, putting millions of homes at risk.
Yet despite these rising threats, many homeowners are still not as ready as they think. Our survey of 2,000 U.S. homeowners found a troubling disconnect between confidence and action. Many respondents said they feel prepared, but far fewer have taken the steps, like reinforcing their homes or reviewing their home insurance coverage.
That lack of follow-through could have serious consequences. Without a clear understanding of what their insurance policies do and don’t cover, homeowners risk being caught off guard when disaster strikes — physically, financially, or both.
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Key Takeaways
- While 40% of homeowners say they’re well prepared for extreme weather, many haven’t taken key insurance steps: 38% have never spoken to their insurer about disaster coverage, and 1 in 4 haven’t reviewed their policy in more than a year, or can’t remember if they have.
- One in three homeowners haven’t taken any protective steps (33%) — and nearly half of them (46%) say it’s because they don’t think their area is at risk, even when they’ve acknowledged local threats.
- 29% of homeowners living in the West say they are least prepared for wildfires, while 27% in the Northeast and 29% in the South say they feel least prepared for hurricanes.
- 61% would rely on debt, loans, or family help to pay for storm damage repairs, and 36% have less than $1,000 saved for home emergencies.
40% Feel Prepared For Disaster—But A Third Haven’t Taken Any Protective Steps
When asked how prepared they feel for extreme weather, 40% of homeowners said their home is “well” or “extremely” prepared. But the numbers behind that confidence tell a different story.
A third of respondents (33%) said they haven’t taken any meaningful steps to protect their home. And while confidence is high, key misunderstandings suggest many may be more exposed than they realize. About 38% have never spoken to their insurer about disaster-specific coverage. Another 42% admit they only deal with insurance when required. A full 41% incorrectly believe flood damage is covered by a standard home insurance policy, and 68% don’t know what a named storm deductible is.
“Preparedness starts with knowledge of your risks and a plan to minimize those risks,” said Dr. Carol Friedland, director of the LSU Hurricane Center. “Every homeowner should know their flood zone, understand their insurance coverage, and have important documents safe during severe weather.”
Dr. Joseph Wartman, Director of the Natural Hazard and Disaster Reconnaissance Facility at the University of Washington, agrees. “Effective emergency preparedness requires a multi-layered approach that goes beyond basic supply kits to include proactive home hardening and financial planning,” he said.
Confidence is a start, but real resilience comes from knowing your risks, reviewing your home insurance regularly, and taking action before the next disaster hits.
Which Natural Disasters Are Homeowners Most Unprepared For?
Most homeowners feel least ready to face earthquakes (44%), tornadoes (37%), and wildfires (35%). These risks vary widely depending on where you live.
In the West, 40% of homeowners say they’re least prepared for earthquakes, despite the region’s demonstrated level of tectonic activity. However, those out West appear somewhat more equipped for wildfires, with only 29% saying wildfires are the hazard they feel least prepared for.
In the Midwest and South, tornadoes top the list. Forty-six percent of Midwestern homeowners feel least prepared for tornadoes, and 39% in the South name tornadoes as the natural disaster they feel least prepared for.
In the Northeast, 51% feel least prepared for earthquakes, while 27% point to hurricanes as a significant risk.
Despite these regional differences, the fact that earthquakes top the list even in places where they are less common shows a nationwide gap in understanding actual disaster risks.
This perception gap matters. According to FEMA, nearly 99% of U.S. counties have experienced flooding since the 1990s. Yet only about 4% of homeowners have flood insurance, leaving millions financially exposed, even far from coastlines.
Homeowners’ protective actions also vary by region. Nationally, 34% have reinforced or replaced roofing, 22% have increased home insurance protections, 15% have added drainage improvements or flood barriers, and 15% have installed storm shutters or impact-resistant windows.
Upgrades to home systems like plumbing and electrical are common, especially in the Midwest and West. Defensive wildfire measures, such as creating defensible space, were taken by 18% of homeowners in the West compared to only 5% to 10% in other regions. Strikingly, 33% of all respondents said they have taken no protective measures.
There are a variety of different barriers to increasing homeowners’ preparedness for extreme weather. Mindset is one key obstacle: 46% said they do not think their area is at high risk. Thirty-five percent cited cost as a barrier, and 26% said they do not know what steps to take. About 15% believe their insurance fully covers any damage, which is often not the case.
While the cost of preparation can feel daunting, sometimes the biggest barrier is feeling overwhelmed or afraid to act. The good news is that many steps toward preparedness do not require money, such as learning more about emergency planning or reaching out to an insurance agent to better understand your coverage.
Dr. Shane Crawford of the University of Alabama advises, “Although some areas are more at risk for certain types of natural hazard, there is no area in the country with zero risk.” Preparing your home means taking practical steps tailored to your region, whether that means clearing wildfire-defensible space in the West, creating storm shelters in tornado country, or increasing flood protection and coverage in more vulnerable areas.
The Financial Cost of Inaction: More Than Half of Homeowners Would Rely on Credit or Loans to Cover Weather Damage
More than half of homeowners (61%) say they would rely on credit cards, loans, or help from family to cover weather-related home repairs. Specifically, 35% would use a credit card, 15% would take out a personal loan, and 11.4% would borrow from loved ones. Only 53% say they could use emergency savings, while 14% have none, and 23% have less than $1,000 saved.
Repair costs from extreme weather are often much higher than anticipated. According to the Insurance Information Institute, the average wind or hail damage claim is around $13,500. More serious repairs like full roof replacements can range from $12,000 to $22,000. In the aftermath of a hurricane or tornado, total damage can exceed $100,000. For many households, these figures far exceed what’s available in cash.
Standard homeowner policies typically cover wind and hail, but not flood damage. And even when floods are covered, the deductibles can cost thousands. According to FEMA, many policies carry percentage-based deductibles that rise with property value, so the higher a home’s value, the greater the out-of-pocket costs when disaster hits.
As Dr. Wartman notes, “the increasing unpredictability of weather patterns means that regions previously considered low-risk are experiencing unprecedented events. Insurance coverage gaps are widening, forcing homeowners to bear greater financial responsibility for both prevention and repair costs than previous generations.”
These financial gaps leave many families vulnerable, especially those already operating on a tight budget. In addition to reviewing insurance coverage and building savings when possible, small low-cost actions can offer meaningful protection. One example is creating a basic emergency kit, sometimes called a “bug out bag”, which can include copies of important documents, a flashlight, a basic first aid kit, and three days’ worth of food and water. Having this ready can prevent delays in getting medical help, reduce the need to replace lost paperwork, and ease the transition if temporary relocation becomes necessary.
How to Talk to Your Insurance Agent About Natural Disaster Risk
Most homeowners aren’t getting clear answers when they ask about their coverage. In fact, 61% say their insurance provider was only “somewhat helpful” or “not helpful” in explaining what’s included. That confusion can lead to costly misunderstandings, especially during or after a major disaster.
To help make those conversations easier, we spoke with Jon Ruggiero, an experienced insurance expert at Guardian Service who’s helped thousands of people understand their policies. His advice boils down to this: the more questions you ask now, the fewer surprises you’ll face later.
Start with smart questions
Ask what types of hurricane damage are covered under your policy. As Jon explains, wind-related damage like missing shingles, broken windows, or structural harm is typically included. Flooding and storm surge usually require separate flood insurance.
Also ask if your policy has a special hurricane or windstorm deductible that is a percentage of your home’s value. That could mean thousands of dollars out of pocket before your coverage even kicks in.
Confirm coverage limits and exclusions
Check whether detached structures like sheds or guesthouses are included.
Clarify personal property limits. Do they fully cover valuables like jewelry, electronics, or antiques? Ask whether you need to list those items separately.
Understand how your loss-of-use coverage works. This part of your policy helps with hotel stays or temporary relocation if your home becomes uninhabitable.
Review your coverage timing
Jon emphasizes that you can’t wait until a storm is named to make changes. Flood insurance usually has a 30-day waiting period, and insurers often block policy updates once a storm is in the forecast.
The best time to make adjustments is well before hurricane season starts.
Ask about updating dwelling coverage
Rising construction costs and home values mean many policies haven’t kept up. Jon encourages homeowners to make sure their dwelling coverage reflects current rebuilding costs—not what your home was worth years ago.
Know your options if coverage is lost
Insurers are pulling out of some high-risk coastal areas. If your policy is canceled, act quickly. A broker who specializes in high-risk zones can help you find alternatives, and some states offer last-resort programs like North Carolina’s “Beach Plan” to provide basic protection in the meantime.
Plan your claim strategy before disaster
If your home is damaged, document everything with photos and videos from multiple angles.
Contact your agent early and keep a written log of all conversations.
Make any emergency repairs necessary to prevent further damage—but keep your receipts and avoid tossing anything until an adjuster has reviewed it.
Be ready to negotiate
Your first insurance payout is often just an advance. Claims may stay open for weeks or even months. If something feels incomplete or low, you can push back, provide additional documentation, or bring in a public adjuster to advocate for you.
Methodology
Guardian Service surveyed 2,000 U.S. homeowners using Pollfish, a third-party market research and survey platform, to gain insights regarding their familiarity with their insurance policies and how prepared they feel for extreme weather. We collected survey data for this report on June 6, 2025.
We weighted responses to align with population demographics across age and gender to be representative of all U.S. adults (aged 18+). The margin of error is +/- 2% with 95% confidence.
Fair Use Policy
We encourage journalists and reporters to share our findings on how prepared homeowners are for extreme weather. If you choose to do so, please link back to our original story to give us proper credit for our research.
For questions or expert insight into our research: dayna.edens@guardianservice.com
Data Journalist
Sam M. Huisache is an Austin-based writer, researcher, and data analyst. Their work has been featured in The New York Times, Forbes, USA TODAY, and MarketWatch. Sam studied political science at New York University and social enterprise management at The George Washington University.
