Severe weather events have clearly worsened in recent years, and homeowners in the U.S. are becoming more afraid of disasters threatening their homes and property. The U.S. now averages $35 billion per year in insured catastrophe damage, up from $25 billion per year in the 2000s. According to government data, twice as many billion-dollar natural disasters hit the U.S. in the 2010s than in the 2000s. And that's just insured damage. Taking a closer look at Americans' perceptions of extreme weather, a new report from insurance comparison site The Zebra examines Americans' concerns about severe storms, homeowner and renter preparedness, and what's at stake as storms increase in severity and frequency. The Zebra survey found that the potential for natural disasters is affecting where Americans choose to live. Nearly three-quarters of respondents (73%) said they considered storm and disaster risks before moving into a new residence, and 44% chose not to move to a particular location because they worried about the potential for severe storms or natural disasters. And when it comes to financial preparedness and insurance, only one in four Americans could correctly identify what disasters their current insurance policy covers. Moreover, 43% of respondents are worried they are underinsured or don't have the right type of insurance to protect their home, car, and belongings. In the slideshow above, discover key findings on how Americans perceive climate change and how concerns are influencing moving decisions, insurance shopping behaviors and more. See also: |

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