You're spot on about insurers lagging behind on sustainability. I've noticed something similar with green roofs—insurers often treat them as liabilities due to potential water damage, completely overlooking their stormwater management benefits. A project I worked on recently had trouble getting coverage because the insurer's model didn't account for reduced runoff and lower flood risk. Seems like they're missing a big opportunity here... but hopefully, as more data becomes available, they'll start seeing these features as assets rather than headaches.
I see your point, but insurers have a reason to be cautious. Green roofs do offer stormwater benefits, sure, but the maintenance factor can be tricky. I've seen cases where improper upkeep led to drainage issues and leaks—exactly what insurers worry about. Maybe instead of just waiting for data, we should push for clearer maintenance standards or certifications? That way insurers could feel more confident about coverage, and we'd all benefit from fewer headaches down the line...
Good points, but from my experience as a first-time custom homeowner, even clear maintenance standards don't always solve the issue:
- Contractors interpret guidelines differently, and I've had to redo things that were supposedly "certified."
- Certifications can sometimes become just another checkbox without real accountability.
- Maybe insurers could offer incentives or discounts for regular inspections instead? That way, homeowners stay proactive, and insurers get peace of mind.
Just thinking out loud here...
Yeah, totally hear you on certifications sometimes turning into just another box to tick. Had a similar experience myself—had to redo insulation that was supposedly "green certified"... go figure. Your idea about insurers offering incentives for regular inspections is pretty interesting, though. It could encourage homeowners to stay ahead of issues before they snowball. Might even nudge contractors toward better accountability too. Worth exploring, I'd say.
"Your idea about insurers offering incentives for regular inspections is pretty interesting, though."
Yeah, incentives sound good in theory, but honestly... wouldn't that just lead to more paperwork and hoops to jump through? I'd rather see clearer builder accountability upfront than rely on insurance nudges later.
