Triple-I Introduces Insurance Affordability Index to Map State-by-State Cost Disparities — Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I)

Event summary

Triple-I launched the Insurance Affordability Index on September 2, 2026, providing state-by-state data on homeowners and auto insurance costs relative to household income.
The Index shows national personal auto insurance costs at 1.7% of median household income (up 9% since 2020) and homeowners insurance at 2.4% (up 24% since 2020).
The tool combines IRC’s affordability methodology with Triple-I’s underwriting expertise to analyze market health, replacement costs, and household expenses.
An interactive map ranks states by insurance affordability, highlighting risk factors like catastrophe exposure and claims litigation.

The big picture

The Insurance Affordability Index addresses growing concerns over regional cost disparities in insurance, driven by varying risk profiles and economic conditions. As inflation and catastrophe risks reshape the market, this tool provides a critical benchmark for policymakers and insurers to assess affordability challenges. The data could influence regulatory interventions and market strategies, particularly in states facing severe availability pressures.

What we're watching

Regulatory Impact: How state-level regulatory actions will respond to affordability disparities highlighted by the Index.
Market Dynamics: Whether rising replacement costs and catastrophe exposure will further strain insurance availability in high-risk states.
Consumer Behavior: The pace at which consumers adopt risk-mitigation strategies to reduce premiums in less affordable states.