`Extraordinary number of catastrophes' push homeowners insurance up

NEW YORK – After searching for an affordable home and mortgage, the next necessity every homeowner has to look for is homeowners insurance, and based on the findings of a report issued by the Insurance Information Institute, finding affordable homeowners insurance is getting increasingly more difficult. An extraordinary number of catastrophes, the high cost of home repairs and excessive jury awards due to the emergence of mold claims are pushing the cost of homeowners insurance up an average of 8% nationwide this year and a projected 9% next year, says the Insurance Information Institute. Their report said that virtually every part of the U.S. is now at risk for billion dollar disasters. According to the report, homeowners’ insurers over the past decade paid out $1.18 in losses and expenses for every $1 they earned in premiums. Last year, insurers paid out $8.9 billion more in losses and expenses than they received in premiums, the second worst year on record. Hurricane Andrew produced $11.5 billion in losses, the worst year on record to date. Losses in homeowners insurance over the past three years are estimated at $19 billion.