In the United States, millions of people who are exposed to flooding do not have flood insurance, even as climate change increases flood risk in many regions. Reporting from multiple outlets describes a persistent coverage gap in which households most likely to be affected by floods remain uninsured.
Context for the coverage shortfall includes the structure and pricing of the federal flood insurance program. Outlets point to affordability pressures linked to rising premiums under the National Flood Insurance Program, including changes that increase costs for some policyholders. While some insured residents face premium increases, uninsured households—particularly those already under financial strain— may struggle to buy coverage in the first place.
The outlets frame the issue through different emphases: one highlights how the program’s flaws and pricing changes contribute to fewer people obtaining coverage, while another focuses on the scale of the problem and the need for broader access to flood protection. Both describe the mismatch between growing flood hazards and insurance take-up.
