Abstract On May 24, 2011, a series of thunderstorms that produced significant hail moved through the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and caused an estimated $876.8 million in insured damages to property and automobiles according to the Texas Department of Insurance. The Roofing Industry Committee on Weather Issues (RICOWI), of which the Insurance Institute for Business &…
October 15, 2024 – The National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA) and the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) are accelerating joint efforts to end the destruction of homes and communities by wildfire. As both organizations work collaboratively to reduce wildfire risks through research, consumer education and policy initiatives, NFPA President and CEO Jim Pauley and IBHS President and CEO Roy Wright recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to highlight that shared commitment.
Overview With the increasing frequency, intensity, and severity of wildfires leading to conflagration, there is a growing need to develop mitigation strategies for homeowners to meaningfully reduce their risk profile. Extensive experimental testing and post-fire analyses have determined the vulnerability of a home from embers, radiant heat, and flames. While mitigation actions have been developed…
Research Hurricane Helene was a powerful Category 4 hurricane that struck the Big Bend region of Florida on September 26, 2024. While the wind and storm surge impacts were far-reaching along the Florida Gulf Coast, significant impacts stretched well inland across portions of Georgia, the Carolinas and eastern Tennessee. North Carolina was particularly hard hit…
Richburg, SC, September 4, 2024 – A new report released today by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) reinforces the need for action at both the parcel and community levels to reduce the likelihood of catastrophic conflagration during wildfires. The 2023 Lahaina Conflagration study concludes a system of mitigation strategies, including developing communities with greater structure separation, removing combustible connective fuels and hardening properties against ember and flame exposures, is needed to mitigate the devastation seen in the Lahaina Fire.
FORTIFIED Multifamily Designation Program Duration: 30 minutes What you will learn: Part 1: FORTIFIED Multifamily Overview Part 2: FORTIFIED Multifamily Requirements Part 3: FORTIFIED Multifamily Designation Process *Note: Once you begin the course, do not clear your browser’s cookies. This is what saves your place should you want to come back to finish the training later.…
Steve Hawks Senior Director for Wildfire Steve Hawks joined the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) in 2023 and currently serves as the Senior Director for Wildfire. In this role, Steve works to advance wildfire policy and code development, manages IBHS’s post-fire analysis research, assists with the Wildfire Prepared Home program and develops future…
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.
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.
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.
