Rising Insurance Costs Heighten Fears During Caribbean Hurricane Season

Fri Oct 10 2025 17:47:31 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

As hurricane season envelops the Caribbean, residents face skyrocketing insurance premiums—a barrier that exacerbates their vulnerability amidst climate change-induced storms.

The Caribbean's hurricane season has intensified concerns for residents as home insurance costs soar, primarily due to increasing storm risks and limited population size, leading many to forego insurance. Survivors from past hurricanes, like Irma, reflect on their trauma while seeking to build resilient futures with limited resources and support. Organizations like the UNDP have stepped in to assist in disaster recovery and training for more resilient building practices, promoting community strength amidst this growing challenge.

For some Barbudans, thunderstorms still trigger flashbacks of the night in September 2017 when they lost everything they owned to Hurricane Irma's devastating winds.

Eight years on, while memories may be close to hand, home insurance for many on Barbuda and other islands in the Caribbean's hurricane belt is more prohibitively expensive than ever. Across the region, premiums have surged by as much as 40% over the past two years. Experts attribute these hikes to an uptick in more intense and destructive storms coupled with the limited number of policyholders.

Dwight Benjamin, a Barbudan resident, reflects on the damage from Hurricane Irma, which prompted him to invest in a resilient home extension for his family. However, he notes the absence of insurance among many residents, viewing it as an unnecessary expense given their limited financial resources and faith in their building skills.

As peak hurricane season approaches, anxiety rises among the Caribbean population; many, including Benjamin and Mohammid Walbrook, keep a vigilant watch on weather reports, haunted by the 2017 disaster.

The situation is worsened by a lack of adequate insurance coverage across the Caribbean. With only 20% of homes in Jamaica insured and half in Barbados, many face financial devastation during natural disasters without the safety net of home insurance. The high cost of insurance is a barrier, significantly due to the unique environmental threats like earthquakes and volcanoes in the region.

To accommodate the growing challenges of climate change, initiatives like the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility aim to provide low-cost disaster coverage for member governments. Additionally, disaster preparedness efforts are continuously rolled out in places like Antigua and Barbuda, ensuring that shelter systems and infrastructure are in place to withstand potential storms.

The narrative of resilience emerges as locals reflect on their experiences during the devastating storms. Support from entities such as the UNDP has proven vital in recovery efforts, creating jobs and introducing improved building methods to enhance future resilience. These collaborative efforts represent a hopeful stride toward safeguarding communities against the escalating threats posed by climate change.