Uninsured Homeowners 2026: States and Cities with the Highest Risk
Homes are often the largest financial asset for American families. However, a growing number of homeowners are living without property insurance protection.
Recent data from LendingTree shows that about 12.2 million owner-occupied homes in the United States are uninsured. Out of roughly 86.6 million owner-occupied homes nationwide, that means about 1 in 7 households lacks insurance coverage.
This gap exposes many homeowners to serious financial risk, particularly as natural disasters become more frequent in many parts of the country.
Why Some Homeowners Go Without Insurance
Many homeowners without insurance are not ignoring the risks. Instead, they may be forced to make financial trade-offs.
Rising insurance premiums have made coverage harder to afford for some households, especially those on fixed incomes.
According to LendingTree insurance specialist Lindsay Bishop, many homeowners decide to go without coverage because the cost continues to climb.
Insurance can be especially expensive in regions that frequently experience hurricanes, floods, wildfires, or other disasters. In those areas, insurance companies often increase premiums or reduce coverage options.
Another factor is mortgages. Homeowners with active mortgages are typically required by lenders to maintain insurance. Once the mortgage is paid off, however, the requirement disappears.
Some homeowners then choose to drop coverage to save money.
States with the Highest Rates of Uninsured Homes
The share of uninsured homes varies widely across states. In some areas, affordability challenges and disaster risks both play a role.
Below are the 10 states with the highest percentage of uninsured owner-occupied homes.
| Rank | State | Total Homes | Homes Without Insurance | % Without Insurance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Virginia | 559,415 | 133,773 | 23.9% |
| 2 | New Mexico | 608,986 | 140,285 | 23.0% |
| 3 | Louisiana | 1,258,598 | 267,270 | 21.2% |
| 4 | Alaska | 182,292 | 37,488 | 20.6% |
| 5 | Mississippi | 829,682 | 167,873 | 20.2% |
| 6 | Florida | 6,220,116 | 1,205,299 | 19.4% |
| 7 | Arkansas | 836,697 | 159,803 | 19.1% |
| 8 | Alabama | 1,461,271 | 276,614 | 18.9% |
| 9 | Oklahoma | 1,053,182 | 192,894 | 18.3% |
| 10 | Texas | 7,134,877 | 1,262,492 | 17.7% |
States such as Louisiana and Florida face frequent natural disasters, which drives up insurance premiums. In contrast, states like West Virginia and New Mexico tend to have lower insurance prices but also lower household incomes, making coverage harder to afford.
Meanwhile, some states report much lower uninsured rates. Oregon and Colorado have uninsured shares below 10%, while states like Vermont, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire also rank among the lowest.
Cities with the Most Uninsured Homes
At the metro level, the situation can be even more extreme. Some cities have far higher uninsured rates than the national average.
Among the 100 largest metro areas in the U.S., McAllen, Texas recorded the highest share of uninsured homes.
Below are the 10 U.S. metro areas with the highest uninsured home rates.
| Rank | Metro Area | Total Homes | Homes Without Insurance | % Without Insurance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | McAllen, Texas | 186,412 | 77,334 | 41.5% |
| 2 | Lakeland, Florida | 226,987 | 63,067 | 27.8% |
| 3 | El Paso, Texas | 194,929 | 46,868 | 24.0% |
| 4 | Miami, Florida | 1,448,616 | 325,927 | 22.5% |
| 5 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | 239,192 | 52,191 | 21.8% |
| 6 | Tampa, Florida | 936,518 | 178,766 | 19.1% |
| 7 | Cape Coral, Florida | 257,997 | 47,933 | 18.6% |
| 8 | Jackson, Mississippi | 167,239 | 30,510 | 18.2% |
| 9 | Augusta, Georgia | 168,792 | 30,135 | 17.9% |
| 10 | Birmingham, Alabama | 337,779 | 60,003 | 17.8% |
In contrast, cities like Portland, Denver, and Poughkeepsie have uninsured rates below 10%.
Uninsured Homes Are Increasing
The number of uninsured homes is growing.
Between 2023 and 2024, uninsured homes increased by 6.6% nationwide. Higher insurance costs are a major factor behind the rise.
Some states saw particularly large increases. Vermont recorded the largest jump at more than 21%, followed by Rhode Island and South Dakota.
However, a few states saw improvements. Wyoming reported the largest decrease in uninsured homes, followed by Oregon and North Dakota.
Why Insurance Still Matters
Even homeowners who feel confident about covering minor repairs may struggle with major disasters.
Rebuilding a home after a fire, hurricane, or tornado can easily cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Home insurance typically costs a few thousand dollars per year, but replacing a house without insurance can require far larger financial resources.
Because of that risk, experts say homeowners should carefully evaluate the potential costs of going without coverage.
Ways Homeowners Can Lower Insurance Costs
For homeowners worried about high premiums, there are ways to reduce insurance costs.
One common strategy is choosing a higher deductible. A higher deductible means homeowners pay more out of pocket before insurance coverage begins, but it also lowers the yearly premium.
Other strategies include:
- Bundling home and auto insurance
- Installing safety features such as alarms or storm shutters
- Shopping across multiple insurers for better rates
- Maintaining good credit
These steps can make insurance more affordable while still providing protection.
The Bottom Line
The rise in uninsured homes in the US highlights a growing challenge for homeowners.
With more than 12 million homes lacking insurance, millions of families remain financially exposed to disasters and property damage.
As insurance costs continue to rise in many regions, policymakers, insurers, and homeowners will likely face increasing pressure to find solutions that balance affordability with protection. For direct financing consultations or mortgage options for you visit 👉 Nadlan Capital Group.
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