Nearly 180 researchers, scientists, and educators from universities across Iowa, including faculty from the UI College of Public Health, have signed off on the 15th annual climate statement. This year’s statement focuses on rising temperatures and destructive weather events as key drivers of rising insurance premiums. According to the statement:

Over the past 40 years, billion-dollar disasters (adjusted for inflation) in the region encompassing Iowa have more than doubled. These Midwest events are part of an emerging global trend of shattered long-term climate records, with growing losses of life and property, resulting in higher insurance costs.

Read the full 2025 climate statement.

Media Coverage

Climate change is driving up insurance costs for Iowa homes, farms, scientists say  (Des Moines Register)

Experts warn climate change could lead to higher insurance costs for Iowans (Cedar Rapids Gazette)

Scientists link climate change to rising insurance costs for Iowans (Iowa Public Radio)

Iowa climate report warns rising insurance costs are tied to extreme weather (WQAD)

Report blames climate change for more Iowa disasters, rising insurance costs (Radio Iowa)

Iowa scientists: climate change driving up cost of insurance (Iowa Capital Dispatch)

Iowa Climate Statement focuses on rising cost of insurance due to warming climate (KWQC)

Iowa scientists claim climate change impacts insurance costs (Daily Iowan)

Iowa climate scientists warn of rising insurance costs due to climate change impact (KGAN)

Scientists warn climate change could threaten Iowa home ownership (KCRG)

Climate change will negatively impact insurance market, Iowa climate scientists say (Corridor Business Journal)

Iowa educators, researchers warn of insurance challenges due to climate change (We Are Iowa – ABC Des Moines)

Climate change impacts insurance rates: Iowa scientists (WHBF)