Glut of climate risk data prompts fear of US home insurance hike
- Oregon redraws wildfire maps after public backlash
- New FEMA flood maps affect thousands in Florida
- Data is double-edged sword for some homeowners
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As climate risk data becomes ever more prevalent, U.S. homeowners now have new know-how to future-proof their main asset but may also end up paying more to guard against the possible fallout of a fast-changing climate.
"My client would argue with me that her neighbour across the street doesn't have to carry flood insurance, and why does she have to carry it?" she said. "I said 'because the map says so, and therefore ... your bank says so.'"
Such is the double-edged sword many Americans now face: a glut of data is giving people greater insight into their individual risk – but it is information that has also triggered an intense backlash due to fears over the costs that may follow.
The state of Oregon is now redrawing wildfire hazard maps two years after abandoning a similar effort due to the fear and vitriol it stirred over home insurance rates - even though insurers had indicated they weren't using the maps that way.
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