Barriers to US homeowners improving resiliency include the expense and a lack of knowledge around where to start, the American Property and Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA) says. 

A survey conducted for the APCIA found that expense was nominated by 46% of respondents as a barrier to improving home resilience while another 20% didn’t know where to start or what to do. 

“Millions of people are increasingly at risk for natural disasters as more communities are built in hazard-prone regions and communities face the intensifying impacts of climate change, so it is incredibly important for homeowners, communities, and policymakers to make resiliency and mitigation a top priority,” Vice President of Property and Environment Karen Collins said.   

The survey found helpful incentives include cost reductions for updated materials, such as sales or income tax credits or rebates, lower premiums such as through discounts, reduced property taxes, and financial aid such as low interest home improvement loans or federal/state grants. 

“Policymakers can help by prioritising funding for resiliency initiatives and programs to help homeowners and communities better withstand natural disasters, including stronger and strictly enforced building codes,” Ms Collins said.   

Other findings include that 85% of respondents would support the community adopting latest building codes to require new homes and businesses meet standards so they can better withstand natural disasters. 

It also found 80% would support efforts to restrict development in storm or wildfire prone areas to reduce rebuilding and repair costs. 

More than 1400 householders were included in the survey, conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of APCIA. 

The US experienced 23 separate weather and climate disasters between January and August this year, each with losses exceeding $US1 billion ($1.6 billion), surpassing the previous record of 22 separate billion-dollar or more natural disasters in all of 2020, the APCIA says.