Building codes have grown up alongside humanity as there are lines in the Hebrew Bible that describe how structures could be erected to promote safety. Today, however, there remains a vast discrepancy in the quality of local building codes. Some municipalities have aggressive building codes on the books while others have been lax in updating such regulations. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) looked at the impact of building codes, as well as the need for many to be updated, as part of research titled "Building Codes Save: A Nationwide Study." The survey was largely spurred by climate change and the uptick in the frequency and severity of property disasters related to extreme environmental events. The study concluded that modern building codes help save properties and dollars in the wake of a catastrophe. Based on the number of structures in the year 2000, FEMA determined that modern building codes helped save $484 million in flooding damage, $60 million in earthquake damage, and $1.1 million in wind damage. "One of the most cost-effective ways to safeguard our communities against natural disasters is to adopt and follow hazard-resistant building codes," FEMA reported. "Not only are casualties reduced, but the cost of building damage is also reduced during a natural disaster. Building codes also help communities get back on their feet faster by minimizing indirect costs such as business interruptions and lost income." However, as of November 2000, roughly 65% of U.S. towns, cities and counties were due for a building-code update. Those that have since been updated stand to save a total of $132 billion is catastrophe losses, FEMA says. ValuePenguin took FEMA's data one step further and looked at specific states in the U.S. where building codes are due for an overhaul. Its study, based on data from 2015, determined that U.S. property owners could save a total of $1.6 billion annually with modern building codes. "While one of the most cost-effective ways to safeguard properties against natural disasters is to adopt and follow hazard-resistant building codes, almost two-thirds of the country hasn't adopted them," says ValuePenguin home insurance expert Divya Sangameshwar. "At the same time, natural disasters are becoming increasingly common and more destructive due to climate change." The slideshow above illustrates 10 U.S. states that have the most of gain from updating local building codes, according to ValuePenguin. See also:

• Tips for insurance agents who work with builders in 2022
• Storm-prone states ease off building codes as climate risk grows
• Getting to know international building codes and standards