Climate-resistant home upgrades agents should be recommending

There’s no denying that resiliency home upgrades have proven to benefit both insurance carriers and policyholders alike, leading to fewer or smaller claims, more predictable risk, reduced damage, and safer properties that often allow for more affordable premiums.

“Individuals can take steps to protect their homes and businesses from the devastating impacts of climate risk and growing perils such as wildfires, severe convective storms, and flooding,” said Franklin Manchester, Principal Global Insurance Advisor at SAS.

While some are aware of the importance of climate-resistant home upgrades, others simply haven’t thought about them, making it essential for insurance advisors to step in and educate their clients.

Worthwhile home improvements

Not all home upgrades are created equal. Only a select number of them strengthen a home against natural disasters, reducing the likelihood that owners will file an insurance claim or lowering the cost of claims after an insurable event.

Here are several improvements Lauren Dowling, head of World Private Client Group.

encourages insurance agents to promote to their clients, based on where they live.

Wildfire-prone areas

• Fire-resistant roofing and non-combustible siding reduce the chance a home would ignite from radiant heat or blowing embers.
• Ember-resistant vents prevent embers from entering attics and crawlspaces, a leading cause of wildfire losses.
• Dual-pane tempered windows withstand heat better and are less likely to break, reducing interior ignition risk.
• Defensible space and vegetation management create a buffer that slows fire spread and improves home survivability.

Hurricane and wind zones

• Impact-rated windows and doors protect the building envelope from windborne debris; envelope failure leads to major water damage.
• Reinforced garage doors prevent internal pressurization that can cause roof uplift and structural failure.
• Roof-to-wall tie-downs and clips strengthen structural connections and reduce wind-related roof loss.
• Secondary water barriers minimize water intrusion even if shingles or tiles are compromised.
• Elevated mechanicals and engineered flood vents reduce loss when a home is exposed to a storm surge or rising water.

Hail and severe-storm regions

• Class 4 impact-resistant roofing withstands hail better, reducing both cosmetic and structural roof losses.
• Hail-resistant siding minimizes damage to exterior walls and lowers repair frequency.
• Reinforced skylights address a common weak point for hail breakage and water intrusion.

Cold weather and freeze-risk areas

• Pipe insulation and heat tape prevent frozen pipes, one of the most common and severe sources of winter losses.
• Attic air sealing and insulation reduce ice dams, which often lead to interior water damage.
• Standby generators prevent cascading losses when power outages lead to frozen pipes or sump pump failures.

How agents can encourage clients to upgrade

Agents can play a significant role in whether clients hop on board and prioritize climate-resistant home upgrades or simply place them on the back burner.

These tips can encourage clients to take the former approach.

Frame upgrades as part of a broader risk-advisor conversation

“Start with tailored discussions grounded in the home’s specific weather exposures to help clients understand which improvements matter most and why,” said Dowling.

From there, leverage carrier-offered mitigation services, premium credits, and preferred vendor programs. This makes the path to implementation clearer, more affordable, and far less overwhelming.

Share examples of real claims

According to Dowling, real claim examples, especially those that show how modest investments can prevent significant losses, help clients understand the true impact of home hardening and motivate action.

It’s a lot easier for them to see the value of improving their home when they learn how the same improvements made a huge difference for someone else.

Weave mitigation into annual stewardship reviews

This is key as it keeps the conversation about climate-resistant home upgrades continuous. “It ensures clients revisit opportunities regularly, strengthens long-term insurability, and supports the protection of property value in an evolving climate,” said Dowling.

Take advantage of resources

At the end of the day, agents, brokers and wholesalers represent insurance carriers.

As a result, all carriers have some form of educational material and resources for customers to help prevent or reduce loss.

“Customer-facing roles like agents or service reps should familiarize themselves with these resources and share with their customers. Doing so boosts customer loyalty, reduces loss ratios and increases policy retention,” said Manchester.

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Anna Baluch is a finance reporter and writer with more than a decade of experience. Contact her at [email protected]