The insurance landscape is changing, and many property owners and drivers are feeling the impact.
Carriers are becoming more selective, inspecting properties more frequently, and increasing premiums across the board. If your home or vehicle doesn't meet certain standards, your policy could be non-renewed or your rates could rise significantly. But with the correct information, you can be prepared for renewal time.
At Keller-Brown, we're here to help you understand the "why" behind these changes and more importantly, the steps you can take to stay protected.
What's Driving the Shift in Home and Auto Insurance?
Why are insurance companies getting stricter? There's no single reason, but a few key factors are driving changes across both home and auto insurance:
For Homeowners:
- Inflation: The rising cost of labor and materials has led to higher payouts for home repairs, making claims more expensive than in years past.
- Weather-Related Losses: Catastrophic weather events, from wildfires and hurricanes to freezes and hailstorms, are happening more frequently and in more regions. This puts added strain on carriers' loss ratios.
- Increased Underwriting Scrutiny: Carriers are doing more inspections and reassessing what qualifies as an insurable risk. They're especially focused on risk factors like roof age, the presence of pools not covered in current policies, and general home maintenance, because these can impact claim frequency and cost. Simply put: carriers are being more diligent in ensuring that premiums match the actual risk.
For Drivers:
- Higher Repair Costs: New technology in vehicles (like sensors and cameras) meant to make cars safer also makes them more expensive to fix.
- Distracted Driving: Despite advances in safety features, accident frequency is increasing, largely due to distracted driving.
- Stricter Pricing Tiers: As overall costs rise, it's become harder to qualify for preferred pricing. Carriers are tightening eligibility based on driving history, vehicle type, and even things like maintenance habits. The increased cost and frequency of claims is forcing insurers to be more selective when offering preferred pricing.
Property Inspections Are on the Rise
One of the most noticeable shifts in homeowners insurance is the uptick in property inspections. Carriers are using a mix of in-person visits, aerial imagery, drones, and satellite data to evaluate your home, even after you've been insured for years.
They're particularly focused on:
- Roof condition and age
- Pools (especially if installed without notifying your agent)
- Missing railings on stairs or porches
- Cracks in sidewalks
- Peeling paint or other signs of neglect
If they identify a risk that hasn't been accounted for, your premium may be adjusted—or your policy may be non-renewed.
For example, if your roof is in poor condition, a carrier may require that it be inspected or replaced. If you're unable to complete the work within a given timeframe, they may decide not to renew your policy.
And What About Auto Insurance?
Auto insurance hasn't seen quite as much change in how underwriting is handled, but the cost to insure a vehicle is still on the rise. Beyond industry-wide increases in repair costs and supply chain delays, there are additional factors you can control:
- Vehicle Choice: Some cars are more expensive to insure than others, especially if they have parts that are hard to replace.
- Maintenance Habits: Failing to keep your vehicle in good condition can increase the chance of costly claims.
- Driving Behavior: Keeping distractions to a minimum and avoiding accidents not only protects you but it can also help you qualify for preferred pricing.
Even as the pace of rate increases slows compared to previous years, qualifying for the best rates is harder than ever.
How Keller-Brown Helps You Stay Ahead
At Keller-Brown, we believe in preparation, not panic. We're here for you, so we keep our ear to the ground and prioritize sharing that insight.
While we don't set the rules that carriers follow, we are familiar with ever-changing underwriting guidelines, and we're constantly working to keep our clients informed.
We help educate and advocate for our clients through:
- Renewal outreach
- Informational blogs like this one
- Educational posts on our social media accounts
- Conversations with our team and everyday service requests
- Consultative support for new clients unfamiliar with this level of service
- Additional resources to help you stay ahead of industry trends
Our goal is simple: to help you stay abreast of industry news, take proactive steps when needed, and avoid surprises that could disrupt your coverage.
Tools to Reduce Claims and Protect Your Policy
Insurance isn't just about coverage but about minimizing the need to use it. That's why we encourage eligible clients to take advantage of preventative tools offered by some of our partner carriers, often at no additional cost.These tools can help detect issues early and reduce the chance of costly claims:
- Ting: A smart sensor that monitors your home's electrical system to detect fire hazards. If there is an issue, Ting connects you with expert help.
- Leak Detection Devices: Offered by some carriers, devices like Leakbot alert you to water leaks before they cause major damage.
- MissionSafe (Westfield) and YourTurn (Erie): These driving apps reward safe driving with gift cards. Keller-Brown clients have already earned thousands through these programs, just by being safe behind the wheel.
We're Not Just Your Agent, We're Your Advocate
No one wants to be caught off guard by a cancellation notice or a rate hike. That's why we take a people-first approach to insurance so seriously.
Whether it's helping you interpret a carrier's inspection request, identifying ways to reduce your risk, navigating complex renewals, or connecting you with free tools that offer protection and rewards, we're here for more than just policies. We're here to protect what matters to you.
Let's Talk
If you've received a renewal notice or just want to make sure you're on the right track, reach out to our team. We're happy to walk through your coverage, share what carriers are prioritizing right now, and help you take small steps that can make a big difference.
Insurance isn't just about reacting to the unexpected; it's about being ready for it, and that's what we do best.