Let’s Talk Homeowners Insurance in 2025

Angela Leakey
Nov 4
3 min read

A lot has changed since the last time we talked about homeowners insurance. Back in 2019, we focused on the basics — dwelling coverage, other structures, and personal property. Those core protections haven’t changed, but the world around them sure has.

Over the last few years, homeowners have seen big shifts in how home insurance works — from rising premiums to stricter claim reviews. Let’s talk about what’s happening now and what it means for you when it’s time to file a claim.

Rising Home Insurance Costs

You’ve probably noticed your home insurance premium has gone up, sometimes by a little, sometimes by a lot. There are several reasons for that:

Higher construction and material costs. Lumber, shingles, wiring, and labor all cost more than they did a few years ago. When it costs more to rebuild, it costs more to insure.
Severe weather. From hailstorms to high winds, we’ve seen more frequent and damaging weather events across Missouri and Kansas. That increases the number (and size) of claims insurers have to pay out.
Fewer home insurance carriers. Some national companies have pulled back from higher-risk areas, meaning less competition and fewer options for homeowners.

Even if you haven’t filed a claim, these trends can still affect your premium, because the cost of insuring everyone’s homes impacts the overall market.

Replacement Cost Still Matters

Just like I mentioned years ago, replacement cost coverage is still one of the most important things on your home insurance policy. With inflation and supply shortages, the gap between replacement cost and actual cash value is bigger than ever.

If your roof or personal property is insured at Actual Cash Value (ACV), your payout will be reduced for depreciation. That means if your 10-year-old roof is damaged, you’ll only get what that roof was worth today, not what it costs to replace it.

Make sure your home insurance policy includes Replacement Cost Coverage (RCV) on your home, roof, and personal belongings. It makes all the difference when disaster strikes.

One of the biggest changes in home insurance today is how roof coverage works. Many companies now have separate wind and hail deductibles, and they’re not small.

Instead of a flat $1,000 deductible, most need to policies use 1%–2% of your dwelling coverage — meaning a $300,000 home could have a $3,000–$6,000 wind/hail deductible per claim.

At the same time, Replacement Cost Coverage (RCV) for roofs often only applies for the first 10–15 years. After that, the policy typically shifts to Actual Cash Value (ACV) — so depreciation is deducted and you’re reimbursed for what the roof is worth today, not what it costs to replace.

Here’s where homeowners get caught off guard: with ACV, you face both a depreciated payout and a higher deductible. In other words, your out-of-pocket costs after a storm could be much higher than expected — especially if your roof is older.

So, what can you do?

Ask your agent what your roof coverage looks like today — whether it’s RCV or ACV, how many years of RCV you have left, and whether your deductible is a flat amount or percentage-based.
Keep records of your roof’s age, materials, and any maintenance or repairs.
Plan ahead for replacement if your roof is nearing the age cutoff, so you’re not surprised after the next big storm.

Claims Are Under More Scrutiny

Filing a claim today isn’t as simple as it used to be. Home insurance companies are looking closely at each claim, especially for roof and water-related losses. That means:

Adjusters may ask for more photos, estimates, or inspections before approving repairs.
Older roofs or previous claims could influence your coverage or deductible.
Too many small claims can raise your rates or even affect your eligibility at renewal.

That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t file when you need to — just make sure you understand what’s covered and how your deductible applies before you file. If you’re not sure, call your agent and talk it through first. Sometimes it makes sense to handle small repairs out of pocket to avoid long-term rate increases.

The Bottom Line

The home insurance market is changing, but you don’t have to face it alone. Whether it’s reviewing your policy, understanding your claim options, or finding ways to save, I’m here to help you make confident decisions about protecting your home.

Give us a call or Contact Us Here to review your policy and make sure you’re ready for whatever comes next.

816-249-2324 www.AMLInsuranceServices.com

A lot has changed since the last time we talked about homeowners insurance. Back in 2019, we focused on the basics — dwelling coverage, other structures, and personal property. Those core protections haven’t changed, but the world around them sure has.

Over the last few years, homeowners have seen big shifts in how home insurance works — from rising premiums to stricter claim reviews. Let’s talk about what’s happening now and what it means for you when it’s time to file a claim.

Rising Home Insurance Costs

You’ve probably noticed your home insurance premium has gone up, sometimes by a little, sometimes by a lot. There are several reasons for that:

Higher construction and material costs. Lumber, shingles, wiring, and labor all cost more than they did a few years ago. When it costs more to rebuild, it costs more to insure.

Severe weather. From hailstorms to high winds, we’ve seen more frequent and damaging weather events across Missouri and Kansas. That increases the number (and size) of claims insurers have to pay out.

Fewer home insurance carriers. Some national companies have pulled back from higher-risk areas, meaning less competition and fewer options for homeowners.

Even if you haven’t filed a claim, these trends can still affect your premium, because the cost of insuring everyone’s homes impacts the overall market.

Replacement Cost Still Matters

Just like I mentioned years ago, replacement cost coverage is still one of the most important things on your home insurance policy. With inflation and supply shortages, the gap between replacement cost and actual cash value is bigger than ever.

If your roof or personal property is insured at Actual Cash Value (ACV), your payout will be reduced for depreciation. That means if your 10-year-old roof is damaged, you’ll only get what that roof was worth today, not what it costs to replace it.

Make sure your home insurance policy includes Replacement Cost Coverage (RCV) on your home, roof, and personal belongings. It makes all the difference when disaster strikes.

One of the biggest changes in home insurance today is how roof coverage works. Many companies now have separate wind and hail deductibles, and they’re not small.

Instead of a flat $1,000 deductible, most need to policies use 1%–2% of your dwelling coverage — meaning a $300,000 home could have a $3,000–$6,000 wind/hail deductible per claim.

At the same time, Replacement Cost Coverage (RCV) for roofs often only applies for the first 10–15 years. After that, the policy typically shifts to Actual Cash Value (ACV) — so depreciation is deducted and you’re reimbursed for what the roof is worth today, not what it costs to replace.

Here’s where homeowners get caught off guard: with ACV, you face both a depreciated payout and a higher deductible. In other words, your out-of-pocket costs after a storm could be much higher than expected — especially if your roof is older.

So, what can you do?

Ask your agent what your roof coverage looks like today — whether it’s RCV or ACV, how many years of RCV you have left, and whether your deductible is a flat amount or percentage-based.

Keep records of your roof’s age, materials, and any maintenance or repairs.

Plan ahead for replacement if your roof is nearing the age cutoff, so you’re not surprised after the next big storm.

Claims Are Under More Scrutiny

Filing a claim today isn’t as simple as it used to be. Home insurance companies are looking closely at each claim, especially for roof and water-related losses. That means:

Adjusters may ask for more photos, estimates, or inspections before approving repairs.

Older roofs or previous claims could influence your coverage or deductible.

Too many small claims can raise your rates or even affect your eligibility at renewal.

The Bottom Line

The home insurance market is changing, but you don’t have to face it alone. Whether it’s reviewing your policy, understanding your claim options, or finding ways to save, I’m here to help you make confident decisions about protecting your home.

Give us a call or Contact Us Here to review your policy and make sure you’re ready for whatever comes next.

816-249-2324 www.AMLInsuranceServices.com