We do our best to keep you as clients up to date on everything that has been happening in the insurance industry. From lumber rates increasing by 167%, to the Missouri flood, the Safeco premium hike, general industry inflation, and much more. We want you to be as up-to-date as we are with what is going on in the industry.
As of recently, we’ve had quite a few clients reach out to us with the same question. “I had zero claims last year, why is my insurance premium going up?” We’re going to dive into that question in our February Newsletter so let’s get to it!
First of all, it’s important to understand that insurance companies are businesses, and like any business, they need to make a profit. One way they do this is by setting their premiums at a level that allows them to cover their costs and make a profit.
Number of Claims Can Harm You
One of the main factors that affects premiums is the number of claims that are made. The more claims an insurance company receives, the more they have to pay out, which can lead to higher premiums. This is why it’s important to try to avoid making unnecessary claims, as it can help keep your premiums down.
Inflation Affects Premium Too
Inflation is another factor that can cause premiums to increase. As the cost of goods and services rise, insurance companies may have to adjust their premiums to keep up. This is especially true for property and casualty insurance, where the cost of rebuilding or replacing damaged property can be a major factor in determining premiums.
Remember, lumber itself had an increase of over 167% in 2022 alone. https://www.nahb.org/blog/2022/01/latest-wave-of-rising-lumber-prices-adds-more-than-18600-to-the-price-of-a-new-home/
See our graphic below for other inflation statistics.
Your Risk Level Is a Factor
Another factor that can affect premiums is the level of risk associated with the insurance policy. for example, personal insurance such as car insurance, if you live in a high-risk area or drive a high-performance car, you may be charged higher premiums as a result. Similarly, for business insurance, if the business operates in a high-risk industry or has a history of claims, the premiums may be higher.
Laws and Natural Disasters Cause Premiums to Skyrocket
There are also other factors that can affect premiums, such as changes in laws and regulations, as well as natural disasters. For example, if a natural disaster occurs and causes significant damage, insurance companies may have to adjust their premiums to account for the increased risk.
Keep in mind this is a big reason why increases are being taken. Natural disasters such as wildfires, flooding, winter storms, and hurricanes plagued much of 2022. There were a total of 18 weather-related disasters that exceeded a minimum of $1 billion each in the U.S. You can only imagine the amount of money that insurance companies lost.
Summary
So, why do insurance premiums seem to go up every year? The simple answer is that they have to. Insurance companies need to make a profit, and in order to do that, they need to set their premiums at a level that allows them to cover their costs and make a profit. And as the number of claims, inflation, level of risk, and other factors continue to rise, insurance companies have no choice but to adjust their premiums to keep up.
But don’t let this news get you down. There are ways to keep your insurance premiums as low as possible. For example, you can try to avoid making unnecessary claims. You can also shop around for the best rates, and consider raising your deductibles to lower your premiums.
In conclusion, insurance premiums may seem to go up every year, but it’s important to remember that it’s a necessary part of the insurance process. Insurance companies need to make a profit and to do that they need to adjust their premiums to cover their costs and make a profit. But there are ways to keep your premiums low, such as avoiding making unnecessary claims, shopping around for the best rates, and raising your deductibles.
Thanks for reading, and as always, stay insured!
