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In early 2025, the ÐÓ°ÉÊÓƵ (ÐÓ°ÉÊÓƵ) reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the nation’s disaster resilience by prioritizing catastrophe preparedness as a cornerstone of its key initiatives. Central to this effort is the advancement of the ÐÓ°ÉÊÓƵ National Resilience Strategy, adopted by state insurance regulators in 2024, which aims to equip communities with the tools and support needed to withstand and recover from increasingly frequent and severe natural disasters.  

In response to the widespread devastation caused by Hurricane Helene and a series of catastrophic wildfires across multiple states, the ÐÓ°ÉÊÓƵ will create a Disaster Preparedness Guide to collate best practices for disaster readiness and recovery. This initiative builds on a growing wave of state-level consumer protection laws and proactive regulatory measures designed to ensure that individuals and families are not only protected but empowered in the face of climate-driven emergencies.

States across the nation have implemented forward-looking consumer protection laws, regulations, and services in recent years to safeguard consumers. Among these impactful measures are:

Immediate in-person help for consumers in filing claims and navigating the recovery process: During the March 2025 Climate and Resiliency Task Force Meeting, state insurance experts shared their experiences from having deployed staff to engage with stakeholders and the public in the aftermath of wildfires and hurricanes, helping people file and receive insurance payouts. After wildfires in Hawaii, New Mexico, Oregon, Colorado, and California, insurance departments participated alongside local and federal agencies at local assistance and disaster recovery centers.  

The has implemented a range of resources in response to recent disasters, particularly the statewide flooding events that began in February and April 2025. Its website features a comprehensive page of consumer guidance, insurance claim tips, fraud prevention advice, and updates on emergency executive actions, all aimed at helping Kentuckians navigate recovery safely and effectively.

The organized intensive workshops in Los Angeles within weeks of the outbreak of wildfires on January 7, 2025, and has helped more than 10,000 wildfire survivors directly. These outreach efforts answer questions, put people on a path to recovery, and help regulators identify any issues in the claims process to expedite payments and reduce confusion that can contribute to legal issues or delayed recovery.

In October 2024, the hosted insurance villages, offering consumers assistance and remote claims services along with major insurance carriers in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. SC DOI launched a dedicated Helene Response and Recovery portal offering step-by-step guidance on documenting losses, making temporary repairs, and avoiding fraud. They also provided direct contact information for their Office of Consumer Services, which handled complaints and answered insurance-related questions.

Insurance discount laws and regulations that help pay for home-hardening against windstorms and wildfires: The provides grants to homeowners to retrofit properties based on the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) standard. Last year, the state of Minnesota passed a similar law requiring incentives for homes that meet the Fortified standard, demonstrating the regional diversity of such approaches.  

Other states are considering similar legislation. California lawmakers have introduced the , creating a grant program within the Department of Insurance to support qualifying residents in obtaining new or repl