I joined personal finance expert Jason Tartick for a conversation about the growing home insurance crisis, why premiums continue to skyrocket, how climate risk is reshaping the housing market, and what every homeowner needs to know before disaster strikes.
I shared how growing up in New York through events like 9/11, the 2003 blackout, Hurricane Sandy, and the financial crisis shaped my career studying risk, resilience, and disaster recovery. I explain why I’ve dedicated my career to helping people better prepare for life’s biggest uncertainties, from natural disasters to financial shocks.
Jason and I break down why homeowners insurance has become one of the fastest-rising costs for American families. We discuss why premiums have dramatically increased in recent years, why insurance companies are pulling out of high-risk states, how billion-dollar disasters are changing the economics of insurance, and why this is no longer just a California or Florida problem, but one facing homeowners across the country.
The conversation also dives into the biggest mistakes homeowners make when purchasing insurance. I explain the differences between replacement cost and actual cash value, why flood and earthquake damage often aren’t covered under standard policies, how additional living expense coverage works, and why many homeowners don’t discover major gaps in their coverage until after disaster strikes. I also shares practical steps every homeowner should take, including documenting their belongings, reviewing their policy annually, shopping multiple quotes, and understanding the specific risks tied to their property.
Jason and I also explore the broader forces driving the insurance crisis, including where new homes are being built, outdated building practices, the role of reinsurance, government policy, and why insurance premiums are ultimately a reflection of growing underlying risk. I explain why disasters themselves aren’t always preventable, but the financial consequences can often be reduced through better preparation, stronger infrastructure, and smarter building decisions.
We also discuss how artificial intelligence is beginning to transform the insurance industry, from helping consumers better understand complex policies to improving disaster modeling, risk forecasting, and property analysis before buying a home. I share why technology will make risk information more accessible than ever, while emphasizing that preparation—not prediction—is still the most valuable investment homeowners can make.
Beyond insurance, I reflect on leadership, public policy, financial preparedness, and why resilience is a lifelong process rather than a one-time solution. I explais why families should prepare for disasters long before they happen, why emergency savings matter more than ever, and why knowledge remains one of the most valuable financial tools anyone can have.
From rising insurance premiums and billion-dollar disasters to homeownership, financial preparedness, and protecting your largest investment, I reveal what every homeowner should know before it’s too late.
