“When thunder roars, go indoors!” is a truism that actually holds up. But much of what we think we know about lightning is fiction. Here are some common myths, along with the facts that will keep you and your loved ones safe in a storm.
The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) reported less than 1 million vehicles were stolen in 2024 – a drop below the one million mark for the first time since 2021 and the largest decrease in stolen vehicles in the last 40 years. The 2024 figure is a 16.7 percent decrease from 2023.
Convective storms result from warm, moist air rising from the earth, and depending on atmospheric conditions, may develop into tornadoes, hail, thunderstorms with lightning, or straight-line winds. Convective storms are the most common and damaging natural catastrophes in the United States, according to Triple-I’s May 2020 white paper, Severe convective storms: Evolving risks call for innovation to reduce costs, drive resilience.
The official Atlantic hurricane season runs from June through November, but occasionally storms form outside those months. Seasonal hurricane forecasting from Colorado State University is available here.
The average homeowners insurance premium rose by 11.2 percent in 2022 from 2021, according to a May 2025 study by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, the latest data available. The average renters insurance premium rose by 0.6 percent in 2022 breaking seven consecutive annual declines.
The countrywide average auto insurance expenditure increased 6.1 percent to $1,127 in 2022 from $1,062 in 2021, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. In 2022 (the latest data available), the average expenditure was highest in Florida ($1,625), followed by Louisiana ($1,558), and New York ($1,549).
One of the best ways to keep your auto insurance costs down is to have a good driving record.
Following are other steps you can take to lower your insurance costs.
1. Shop around
Premiums can vary significantly from insurer to insurer, so it pays to shop around. Get at least three price quotes. You can shop online via quote comparison websites, get quotes directly from insurer websites or work with either exclusive or independent insurance agents in your area.
After a disaster, you want to get back to normal as soon as possible, and your insurance company wants that too! You may get multiple checks from your insurer as you make temporary repairs, permanent repairs and replace damaged belongings. Here's what you need to know about claims payments.