When Insurance Markets Fail: Community Solutions for Climate-Threatened Homeowners

In 2024, natural disasters caused $320 billion in global losses, yet only $140 billion was insured—revealing a growing “protection gap.” With Massachusetts now ranking fifth in the nation for homeowner policy non-renewals, innovative solutions are urgently needed. Charlie Sidoti, Executive Director of InnSure, will discuss emerging insurance models, including a flood resilience pilot launching later this year in Salem, MA. His talk will cover the current state of climate-driven insurance disruption, explain how residual insurance programs function as markets of last resort, and explore practical steps homeowners and municipalities can take to reduce flood risk. Salem’s pilot program may offer a model for other coastal communities facing similar challenges.