IBHS research shows two critical ways to reduce risk of storm damage ahead of potentially active hurricane season

News Releases

Richburg, SC, June 11, 2024 — With an active hurricane season forecast for 2024, the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) encourages homeowners to act now to reinforce their properties against severe weather. IBHS researchers have identified the roof and garage doors as the areas of homes particularly vulnerable and most important to strengthen to withstand storms. These two home improvements top the nonprofit’s Hurricane Ready guidance, which also includes DIY maintenance projects and tips to complete now and last-minute storm prep.  

IBHS honors resilient construction trailblazers

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Fairhope, AL, June 7, 2024 – As hurricane season begins, the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) has recognized 44 FORTIFIED service providers and non-profits helping to prepare their communities for severe weather with its annual FORTIFIED Awards. The awards recognize those who have contributed to the record-setting number of FORTIFIED Home designations, helping thousands of homeowners strengthen their homes against storms.   

IBHS ranks hurricane coast states on building code adoption, enforcement

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Richburg, SC, April 23, 2024 — As hurricane season approaches, the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) today released the fifth edition of Rating the States, which evaluates building code adoption, enforcement and contractor licensing in the 18 states along the hurricane coastline from Texas to Maine. The signature study found that while some states work to ensure homes are resilient against extreme weather, many communities remain vulnerable because state or local jurisdictions have failed to adopt or enforce modern building codes or have allowed their codes to lapse and become outdated.

Rating the States 2024

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Research Summary What is Rating the States Now in its fifth edition, IBHS’s Rating the States report evaluates the 18 states along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts based on residential building code adoption, enforcement, training, education and contractor licensing. In the report, published every three years, each state is rated on a 0–100 scale using data collected…

Prep homes, businesses now for severe spring weather with IBHS Thunderstorm Ready guides

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Richburg, SC, Feb. 13, 2024 – Last year Americans saw that storms don’t need to make national headlines to wreak havoc on homes and businesses, as more than 20 states were impacted by 19 severe convective storm events, each causing over $1 billion in damage. With most billion-dollar storms occurring between March and June, the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) urges property owners to act now using its research-based Thunderstorm Ready guides to help prevent damage before this year’s severe spring weather strikes.  

IBHS‘s three-year strategy turns science into solutions, drives resilient choices

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Richburg, SC, Nov. 16, 2023 – With winter fast approaching, now is the time for home and business owners to take action to prepare their properties for severe winter weather. Guidance from the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) can help prevent costly damage and disruption when freezing temperatures and wintry precipitation arrive, in a year El Niño is expected to bring atypical conditions.