When natural disasters like last year’s massive Colorado floods strike, it causes some pause for thought among producers.
According to Carole Walker, executive director of the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association, the flooding that affected much of the state served to increase awareness of corresponding insurance coverage among independent agents and brokers.
“Up to 25% of flood claims come from low- to moderate-risk areas like ours. It’s an important policy and agents and brokers need to know what flood insurance offers,” said Walker. “The big message here is, yes, we live in Colorado but we do get flash floods. It’s our most common natural disaster, and we really urge agents to offer flood insurance to everyone.”
Of course, the best time to increase insurance awareness is before—not after—a devastating natural disaster. To that end, here are the most disaster-prone states in the US, according to data from the National Weather Service.
10. Arizona
Estimated Property Damage (2006-2013): $3.5 billion
Weather-Related Fatalities (2006-2013): 93
Most Frequent Disasters: Thunderstorms, flash floods, drought, dust storms
9. Colorado
Estimated Property Damage (2006-2013): $3.7 billion
Weather-Related Fatalities (2006-2013): 70
Most Frequent Disasters: Winter storms, hail, drought, floods and flash floods
8. Louisiana
Estimated Property Damage (2006-2013): $3.9 billion
Weather-Related Fatalities (2006-2013): 66
Most Frequent Disasters: Thunderstorms, hail, tornadoes, tropical storms, floods and flash floods
7. Mississippi
Estimated Property Damage (2006-2013): $4.3 billion
Weather-Related Fatalities (2006-2013): 88
Most Frequent Disasters: Thunderstorms, hail, tornadoes, floods and flash floods
6. Oklahoma
Estimated Property Damage (2006-2013): $4.5 billion
Weather-Related Fatalities (2006-2013): 162
Most Frequent Disasters: Hail, thunderstorms, tornadoes, drought
5. Alabama
Estimated Property Damage (2006-2013): $4.9 billion
Weather-Related Fatalities (2006-2013): 333
Most Frequent Disasters: Thunderstorms, hail, tornadoes
4. Missouri
Estimated Property Damage (2006-2013): $5.0 billion
Weather-Related Fatalities (2006-2013): 346
Most Frequent Disasters: Hail, thunderstorms, winter storms, floods, tornadoes
3. Tennessee
Estimated Property Damage (2006-2013): $5.1 billion
Weather-Related Fatalities (2006-2013): 224
Most Frequent Disasters: Thunderstorms, hail, winter storms, tornadoes
2. Texas
Estimated Property Damage (2006-2013): $23.7 billion
Weather-Related Fatalities (2006-2013): 313
Most Frequent Disasters: Hail, thunderstorms, drought, tornadoes and flash floods
1. New Jersey
Estimated Property Damage (2006-2013): $26.4 billion
Weather-Related Fatalities (2006-2013): 87
Most Frequent Disasters: Damaging wind, winter storms, floods and flash floods
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