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Homeowners’ Defense Act of 2025

2/26/2025, 11:23 AM

Summary of Bill HR 827

Bill 119 HR 827, also known as the "Homeowners' Insurance Protection Act," aims to address the issue of availability and affordability of homeowners' insurance coverage for catastrophic events. The bill recognizes that many homeowners across the United States face challenges in obtaining adequate insurance coverage for natural disasters such as hurricanes, wildfires, and floods.

The key provisions of the bill include:

1. Establishment of a National Catastrophic Homeowners' Insurance Program: The bill proposes the creation of a federal program to provide homeowners with access to affordable insurance coverage for catastrophic events. This program would be funded through premiums paid by policyholders and federal government contributions. 2. State-based Catastrophic Insurance Pools: The bill encourages states to establish their own catastrophic insurance pools to help homeowners in high-risk areas obtain coverage. These pools would be supported by federal grants and reinsurance to ensure their financial stability. 3. Incentives for Mitigation and Resilience: The bill includes provisions to incentivize homeowners to take steps to mitigate risks and improve the resilience of their properties against natural disasters. This could include discounts on insurance premiums for implementing certain safety measures. 4. Transparency and Accountability: The bill requires insurance companies to provide clear and transparent information to policyholders about coverage options, pricing, and claims processes. It also establishes mechanisms for oversight and accountability to ensure that insurers are meeting their obligations to policyholders. Overall, Bill 119 HR 827 seeks to address the challenges faced by homeowners in obtaining affordable insurance coverage for catastrophic events. By establishing a federal program, supporting state-based initiatives, and promoting mitigation and resilience efforts, the bill aims to ensure that all homeowners have access to the protection they need in the face of natural disasters.

Congressional Summary of HR 827

Homeowners' Defense Act of 2025

This bill allows the Department of the Treasury to guarantee the debt issued by an eligible state catastrophe insurance program, with limitations on the total amount of debt guaranteed.

To qualify, a state program must (1) be established and authorized by state law as an insurance program or a reinsurance program designed to support the private insurance market, and (2) offer residential property insurance coverage for losses arising from any personal residential line of insurance. Treasury must pay the portion of the principal and interest on guaranteed debt due for payment if the state program has insufficient funds.

Treasury must also make reinsurance coverage available to eligible state programs. (Reinsurance protects insurers from large losses.) The bill also establishes the Federal Natural Catastrophe Reinsurance Fund, funded in part by the sale of reinsurance contracts, to pay out eligible losses.

The bill also establishes the National Catastrophe Risk Consortium which must maintain an inventory of catastrophe risk obligations held by providers of natural catastrophe insurance, among other functions.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development must provide grants to entities (such as states) for the purpose of preventing and mitigating losses from natural catastrophes.

The Government Accountability Office must report on risk-based rate pricing and state insurance program rates.

Current Status of Bill HR 827

Bill HR 827 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since January 28, 2025. Bill HR 827 was introduced during Congress 119 and was introduced to the House on January 28, 2025.  Bill HR 827's most recent activity was Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services. as of January 28, 2025

Bipartisan Support of Bill HR 827

Total Number of Sponsors
3
Democrat Sponsors
3
Republican Sponsors
0
Unaffiliated Sponsors
0
Total Number of Cosponsors
0
Democrat Cosponsors
0
Republican Cosponsors
0
Unaffiliated Cosponsors
0

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill HR 827

Primary Policy Focus

Alternate Title(s) of Bill HR 827

To ensure the availability and affordability of homeowners' insurance coverage for catastrophic events.
To ensure the availability and affordability of homeowners' insurance coverage for catastrophic events.

Comments

Goldie Cole profile image

Goldie Cole

25,741

9 months ago

I support making home insurance more affordable for everyone.

Jalen Ford profile image

Jalen Ford

25,895

9 months ago

I think this bill is good cuz it helps make sure people can get insurance for their homes in case something bad happens like a big storm or fire. It's important to have insurance so you don't lose everything if something bad happens. I'm glad they're trying to make it more affordable for everyone. This bill will help lots of people who might not be able to afford insurance otherwise.