Steph you are very informative on this subject. Thank you for all the great info. Ithink you are right on as far as home owners. It should be lower for things like that. They already give breaks for smoke detectors and security systems.

I started bookmarking your stuff so I can learn more....so much info...getting info overload right about now...haha. Thanks!

Thanks Jeff, I agree about the lower rate.  If they give a discount for a security system, why not LEED?

Hey Sally, am I going overboard?  Should I take a break for a few days?  Maybe I will post other stuff for a week or so.

You left out the biggie....having a green home will cost  you less money in utilities.  It will cost you less money in health care, because it will be a healthier environment and you'll get sick less. -Charles

1. Insurance companies like historical data. Maybe they will learn some things from other cities and employ those ideas here

2. Aren't green homes a little more expensive in the short run? Then the replacement value is higher, then the premium is higher

Great information, I like where you are going with this!

No!  You just keep going...it's me trying to take in all I'm reading...so I'm bookmarking to read it more later.....you just keep doing what you're doing!

Steph~

Thanks for picking up the conversation and for sharing this information on sustainable properties in terms of insurance. What you say makes a lot of sense to me.  And like Sally, I've bookmarked this post ...

You know, I think this is very interesting.  It does seem that the lower potential for claims would be cause to reduce the policy premiums, doesn't it?  But does the increased replacement cost of these homes offset that reduced likelihood of a claim?  To be honest, I don't know quite enough about it to say too much, but I am just thinking "out loud."

We need to hear from some of our insurance contacts - what are they hearing from their underwriters on this subject?  Are discounts in the works?  Take a moment to email your insurance contacts to ask them...

Hi Jaqulyn- At first I had health in there as well, but decided to leave that one for another post.  I didn't think that the insurance companies (homeowner's) would care about that or utilities.  I will post about the health insurance soon. :) Thanks for the input. Looks like we think along the same lines.

Tom, I was waiting for someone to mention that one!  Actually it was your number 2.  Cost of replacement.  My insurance agent thinks it should become a niche thing.  There are already discounts in place for some of these points.  Along the Gulf Coast where companies do not cover wind damage...Hmmm.

Thanks Ana, Stay tuned because I have some amazing information coming your way.

Sally, I'll keep on keepin' on! 

JaneAnne, My insurance agent says he would fight for it.  Especially along the Gulf coast areas.  I am going to speak with the LEED builder I know about a few things that might knock the socks off many of the misconceptions of GREEN built homes. Can't wait.

Hi Christina, I am thinking yes, it would cost more to replace but that doesn't mean that there can not be some sort of discount in place.  Like when if you have an alarm system you get a 15% discount in Texas.  For instance, if you have certain roofing or exterior walls there could be an additional discount.  If a roof can withstand 150 mile an hour wind...the likelihood of it being replaced any time soon is pretty close to nil. I am just thinking out loud too, but I sold the point to my insurance agent.  :)

Hi Jeff, I spoke to mine today and actually he said they are talking about doing a discount for ICF homes.  He said that there are discounts in place for certain roofs but we have an EXCELLENT POINT for Gulf Coast Counties.  He says YES. fight for it!  Yeah!  He suggested that insurance companies waive the wind policy for sustainable homes.

I wonder how the Gulf Coast insurance industry has changed post-Katrina?  More restrictive? Less?

Hi Jeff, if a home is near the coast they dropped wind coverage. Much like they did in Florida a few years back.  Actually, there are very few companies that will write policies at all right now.  I was with a major National company and my rates went up, WAY up.  Needless to say, I dropped them. Definitely more restrictive.  Oh, reminds me. My son was born the night Rita hit Houston.  Awww. :)  Just thought I would share.