# US wildfire and weather insurance claim trends > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/us-wildfire-insurance-claim-trends > Updated: 2026-08-17T17:30:06.000Z. Sources: 15. Developments: 5. Analysis of U.S. home insurance data shows claim severity peaked in 2025, with all‑peril losses up 25.9% year‑over‑year and nearly doubling since 2019. The surge was driven primarily by the January Los Angeles wildfires, which alone produced more than $61 billion in damages, making California the costliest state for insurers. A 2026 LexisNexis Risk Solutions report confirms the 2025 severity peak was the highest in seven years and pushed overall loss costs about 50% higher than in 2019. Fire and lightning remained the dominant perils, while a March tornado outbreak became the second‑costliest billion‑dollar event of the year. Winter storms Fern and Hernando added tens of thousands of ice, snow and collapse claims worth $478 million. Verisk’s Q1 2026 Property Report notes claim volume continued to fall, 8.9% lower than the previous year and 13.1% below the five‑year average, as policy language shifted toward more actual‑cash‑value‑only provisions and higher deductibles. Despite fewer filings, roof replacement costs jumped 33% and overall repair costs rose 25% in 2025. Water claims accounted for 31.1% of residential claims, while wind accounted for 20.4%. Broader market trends show homeowners insurance rates have increased by approximately 27% over the last five years, driven by natural disasters and rising construction material costs. This has led to an increase in non-renewal notices, particularly in states like California and Louisiana. A SoFi survey from April 2026 highlights the resulting financial pressure, noting that nearly 39% of homeowners nationwide experienced premium increases exceeding 20% during a single renewal period. While hurricanes and windstorms are perceived as primary threats, more than half of surveyed homeowners did not invest in damage-mitigating modifications in the past year. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-17: US homeowners face rising insurance premiums and market instability A SoFi survey shows nearly 40% of US homeowners faced premium increases exceeding 20% in a single renewal, driven by insurer withdrawals from high-risk areas and rising climate-related threats. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-homeowners-face-rising-insurance-premiums-and-market-instability ### 2026-08-10: Homeowners insurance rates rise 27% amid natural disasters Homeowners insurance rates have risen 27% over five years due to natural disasters and rising construction costs, prompting experts to advise annual policy reviews and shopping for better rates. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/homeowners-insurance-rates-rise-27-amid-natural-disasters ### 2026-07-27: US Home Insurance Loss Costs Surge as 2025 Severity Peaks US home insurance loss costs surged 50% since 2019 as 2025 severity hit a seven‑year high; claim volume fell 8.9% amid policy changes, higher deductibles and rising repair costs. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-home-insurance-loss-costs-surge-as-2025-severity-peaks ### 2026-07-24: California Wildfire Insurance Claims Top $12 B as Damage Costs Remain Low California’s 2018 wildfires triggered $12 billion in insurance payouts versus $200 million in damage, exposing financial strains and prompting calls for preventative investments. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/california-wildfire-insurance-claims-top-12-b-as-damage-costs-remain-low ### 2026-07-22: U.S. Home Insurance Claim Severity Hits Record High in 2025 LexisNexis reports 2025 U.S. home insurance claim severity at a seven‑year high, driven by Los Angeles wildfires, while overall loss cost fell and claim frequency dropped. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-home-insurance-claim-severity-hits-record-high-in-2025 --- Cite as: US wildfire and weather insurance claim trends. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/us-wildfire-insurance-claim-trends