Nebraska’s Property Insurance Crisis

Nebraska’s Property Insurance Crisis

How Hailstorms and Tornadoes are Driving Premiums Through the Roof 

Nebraska’s weather can be downright relentless. With tornadoes and hailstorms frequently appearing each season, the aftermath often leaves property owners grappling with soaring insurance premiums. While we can’t ignore the power of Mother Nature, do insurers really need to pass every last cent of their costs onto you? Spoiler alert: they don’t.

The Storms Aren’t Slowing Down

Nebraska has always been a storm-prone state, but in recent years, the frequency and intensity of hailstorms and tornadoes have hit record highs. The Center for Disaster Recovery stated, “As of September 18, 2024, there have been 1,437 confirmed tornadoes.” Nebraska ranks among the “top five most impacted regions, alongside Iowa, Texas, Missouri, and Oklahoma,” as reported by 11 Alive. Hailstorms, notorious for causing costly damage to roofs, vehicles, and properties, have also been relentless. Since 2020, Nebraska has averaged 50 days of severe hailstorms each year, one of the highest in the nation.

What Does This Mean for Your Insurance Premiums?

Insurance carriers justify premium hikes by pointing fingers at these natural disasters, but is that the whole story? Nebraska Public Media spoke with Chip Bullock, an agent in central Nebraska, who “said he’s seen premiums increase rapidly in the last few years, by between 10% and 40%.” Insurers claim it’s all due to the high number of storm-related claims. But here’s the kicker: while storm frequency is up, insurers are also racking profits by leveraging reinsurance and passing costs along to you. It doesn’t stop there—many carriers are notorious for using delay, deny, and defend tactics to avoid paying out claims altogether. 

The Passive-Aggressive Reality of “Risk Management”

Let’s be honest. Insurance carriers love to talk about “risk” when it comes to raising your rates. Yet, when you file a claim, they’re suddenly not so generous, are they? It’s almost as if they prefer collecting premiums without paying out. According to experts, insurers have a history of using reinsurance policies that protect them—not you—from catastrophic losses. So, while you’re paying more, they’re quietly pocketing their share. 

Make the Most of Your Policy

So, what should a Nebraska property owner do in the face of skyrocketing premiums? Well, start by evaluating your current policy. Many property owners are underinsured, but unfortunately, insurance carriers won’t volunteer that information.

Some insurance carriers have begun to exclude wind coverage, which could be a significant setback for Nebraska policyholders. To make matters worse, Insurance carriers aren’t communicating this coverage change when they send out policy renewals, leaving it up to the policyholder to read through their policy to ensure they know exactly what they’re signing up for. Unfortunately, this critical detail is often overlooked, leaving many policyholders underinsured and caught off guard when it matters most.

We recommend reviewing your policy annually to ensure your property is adequately protected. Submit your policy for a free review today! Our team will identify gaps in your coverage and help you find a policy to protect you when disaster strikes.  

The (Not So) Transparent Insurance Industry

Here’s where the gloves come off. Despite their endless justifications, insurance carriers aren’t hurting. Many are seeing record profits—and yet premiums continue to rise. The property and casualty insurance industry made a “record $88 billion in profits in 2023. In Q1 2024, profitability continued to surge, reaching $39 billion in one quarter alone,” the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association reported. So, the next time your carrier leaves you to believe they simply don’t have the means to help, remember—you’re padding their bottom line. 

Don’t just Weather the Storm—Fight Back!

Nebraska property owners deserve better. The ongoing storm cycles may be uncontrollable, but unchecked insurance premiums don’t have to be. Start by taking control of your policy and working with professionals who have your back. Because let’s face it: your insurance carrier? Not so much. 

Submit your policy for review today!

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730% Settlement Increase for Multi-Building Agricultural Property

How Premier Claims Achieved a 730% Settlement Increase for a Nebraska Poultry Farm

When a severe hail and windstorm swept through rural Nebraska, it caused extensive damage to a large poultry operation. Roofs across multiple chicken and broiler houses were compromised, insulation was soaked, and repairs were urgently needed to keep the business running.

The property owner filed an insurance claim expecting coverage for the full scope of loss. Instead, the carrier offered just $204,000—a figure built on inaccurate satellite measurements, incomplete documentation, and outdated material pricing.

The initial estimate ignored elevation changes, excluded critical insulation repairs, and used material rates that didn’t match current market costs. If accepted, that offer would have fallen far short of what was needed to restore the facility and protect ongoing production.

Rebuilding the Claim From the Ground Up

Premier Claims was brought in to represent the policyholder and immediately began a full reassessment of the damage. Our field inspectors worked day and night to capture precise measurements and photographic documentation across all structures.

By challenging the carrier’s reliance on remote imagery, our team provided accurate, on-the-ground data that reflected the true scope of the property. We built an itemized repair plan that included:

Every detail was supported by evidence—photos, expert reports, and measurement records—to close the gap between the carrier’s flawed estimate and the actual replacement cost.

Navigating Carrier Complexities

When the insurer raised salvage rights concerns after learning the client planned to sell the replaced metal, our adjusters coordinated the process to ensure the settlement stayed accurate and compliant. Throughout negotiations, Premier Claims maintained professional communication, grounding every discussion in documentation and policy language.

A Fair and Accurate Settlement

After months of persistent advocacy and detailed verification, the claim was successfully resolved for $1,693,000—a 730 percent increase over the carrier’s initial offer. The final scope provided full replacement coverage for ten agricultural structures, totaling more than 3,300 squares of metal roofing at an approved cost basis of $489 per square.

With the corrected settlement, the poultry farm was able to restore every critical building with quality materials and resume normal operations without financial strain.

Protecting Property and Productivity

This outcome ensured that the property owner could maintain both the integrity of their facilities and the efficiency of their business. By addressing inaccurate measurements, omitted scope items, and outdated pricing, the settlement accurately reflected the farm’s real rebuilding costs—preserving its long-term value and productivity.

When insurance estimates fall short, accurate documentation and informed advocacy can make the difference between partial repairs and full recovery. To learn how Premier Claims supports farm and agricultural property owners through complex insurance. 

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