By the Numbers
18,150,744 policy records
Florida Citizens data, 2002-2023
5 storm measures tracked
Discounts can reach 47% of premium
Premiums rose sharply after 2017:
Citizens +63%;
statewide Florida +82% by 2023
A recent study of more than 18 million insurance records revealed income-based differences in whether policyholders made storm-proofing improvements to their homes to counter rising premiums.
After reviewing two decades of policy records from Citizens Property Insurance, Florida's insurer of last resort, the study found that fortification-related insurance discounts prompted wealthier households to upgrade. However since premium increases squeezed lower-income households’ budgets, those homeowners were less likely to invest in the very upgrades that would lower their bills.
Source: "Uneven Adaptation: Insurance Pricing and Household Climate Resilience" published by The Brookings Institution's Hutchins Center in July 2026.
Authors: Shan Ge, New York University; Varun Sharma and Ankit Kalda, Indiana University; Vikas Soni, University of South Florida.
Storm-Proofing a Home
The study highlights five fortifications and their average insurance discounts for a Florida house in hurricane winds. After a premium increase, wealthier households and smaller homes become more likely to upgrade while lower-income households were less likely to make improvements.
- Roof-to-wall attachment (wrap):
Average potential annual discount: $450 - Roof deck attachment (Level C):
Average potential annual discount: $140 - Opening protection/shutters/impact windows (Class A):
Average potential annual discount: $460
- Roof covering:
Average potential annual discount: $160 - Secondary water resistance:
Average potential annual discount: $70
Who adapts when premiums rise?
A typical premium increase (about $355 per year)
changes the likelihood that different households upgrade
their roof-to-wall attachments.
| Household group | Change in upgrade likelihood |
|---|---|
| Average household | −1.0 % |
| Higher-home-price ZIP codes | +0.9 % |
| Lower-home-price ZIP codes | −2.9 % |
| Smaller homes (lower retrofit cost) | +4.6 % |
| Larger homes (higher retrofit cost) | −6.6 % |
The retrofit that pays for itself
Roof tie-downs (wraps) earn discounts worth roughly $6,200 over their life — more than double the typical $2,600 installation cost for an average home.
The resilience gap
By 2023, roughly 45% of homes in higher-priced areas had top-class window and door protection, versus about 11% in lower-priced areas.
Bottom line
Higher premiums increase the value of mitigation discounts, but they can also tighten household budgets. Wealthier households and those facing lower retrofit costs are more likely to adapt; lower-income households and those facing higher costs are less likely to do so.