KETV Investigates discovered a North Omaha woman said her home insurance rates shot up nearly $500 in one year. Insurance told her it was a result of tariffs and preventative maintenance – due to increased storm activity.Last year, tornadoes damaged many Omaha-area homes. One woman wasn’t impacted by the storms, but her insurance rates still went up.“I wasn’t surprised that there was an increase. I was surprised by the amount of the increase,” North Omaha resident, Mary Butler, said.She said her insurance increased from $2,500 to over $3,000 between 2024 and 2025. That’s a $464 difference. Butler said she didn’t file a claim on her home.“They’re charging me based on what they predict might be a future damage claim,” Butler said. She said her insurance didn’t notify her of the increase.Nebraska Representative Mike Flood said people need to look at the annual escrow statements.“It’ll show you what kind of increase you had in your home insurance and what kind of increase you had in your property taxes,” Flood said.Butler called her insurance company, and they told her they raised rates because of tariffs—which would impact home repair businesses like Project HouseWorks. Last year the non-profit helped in the tornado cleanup.”We were able to mobilize volunteers fairly quickly,” Executive Director of Project HouseWorks Jim Clements said.“Regardless of what happens with that, the need is going to be there. and unfortunately, it’s growing,” Clements said. “And so we’re just kind of in mind of how do we maintain flexibility.”Clements said they have a two-month backlog of people needing assistance.Flood is aware of the tariff concern.“I’m hopeful that we can get through this adjustment period and then get towards the end of the summer and look back and say, ‘We’re in a much better spot today,’” Flood said.In the meantime, Flood is encouraging people to invest in impact-resistant roofs.“An impact resistant roof cost about 30% more than a conventional roof,” Flood said.This is something Butler couldn’t afford for her family home. “We all lived in this home,” Butler said.She’s served in Nebraska law enforcement for more than 20 years, is on disability, and was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. She’s lived in Colorado and Hawaii in the past and said their premiums are different.“The insurance rates here for me are much higher than they were in each of those two states,” Butler said.Her options are looking for another insurance company or finding a new place to live. For now, she has this advice.“Check your premiums and your statements. Find out what your costs are,” Butler said.Flood said he’s working with the U.S. House Committee on Financial Services to hold a hearing about creating tax incentives to bring re-insurers back into the country, and work to lower premiums with insurance companies.NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
KETV Investigates discovered a North Omaha woman said her home insurance rates shot up nearly $500 in one year. Insurance told her it was a result of tariffs and preventative maintenance – due to increased storm activity.
Last year, tornadoes damaged many Omaha-area homes. One woman wasn’t impacted by the storms, but her insurance rates still went up.
“I wasn’t surprised that there was an increase. I was surprised by the amount of the increase,” North Omaha resident, Mary Butler, said.
She said her insurance increased from $2,500 to over $3,000 between 2024 and 2025.
That’s a $464 difference. Butler said she didn’t file a claim on her home.
“They’re charging me based on what they predict might be a future damage claim,” Butler said.
She said her insurance didn’t notify her of the increase.
Nebraska Representative Mike Flood said people need to look at the annual escrow statements.
“It’ll show you what kind of increase you had in your home insurance and what kind of increase you had in your property taxes,” Flood said.
Butler called her insurance company, and they told her they raised rates because of tariffs—which would impact home repair businesses like Project HouseWorks. Last year the non-profit helped in the tornado cleanup.
“We were able to mobilize volunteers fairly quickly,” Executive Director of Project HouseWorks Jim Clements said.
“Regardless of what happens with that, the need is going to be there. and unfortunately, it’s growing,” Clements said. “And so we’re just kind of in mind of how do we maintain flexibility.”
Clements said they have a two-month backlog of people needing assistance.
Flood is aware of the tariff concern.
“I’m hopeful that we can get through this adjustment period and then get towards the end of the summer and look back and say, ‘We’re in a much better spot today,’” Flood said.
In the meantime, Flood is encouraging people to invest in impact-resistant roofs.
“An impact resistant roof cost about 30% more than a conventional [average] roof,” Flood said.
This is something Butler couldn’t afford for her family home. “We all lived in this home,” Butler said.
She’s served in Nebraska law enforcement for more than 20 years, is on disability, and was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. She’s lived in Colorado and Hawaii in the past and said their premiums are different.
“The insurance rates here for me are much higher than they were in each of those two states,” Butler said.
Her options are looking for another insurance company or finding a new place to live. For now, she has this advice.
“Check your premiums and your statements. Find out what your costs are,” Butler said.
Flood said he’s working with the U.S. House Committee on Financial Services to hold a hearing about creating tax incentives to bring re-insurers back into the country, and work to lower premiums with insurance companies.
NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
Alice J. Roden started working for Trending Insurance News at the end of 2021. Alice grew up in Salt Lake City, UT. A writer with a vast insurance industry background Alice has help with several of the biggest insurance companies. Before joining Trending Insurance News, Alice briefly worked as a freelance journalist for several radio stations. She covers home, renters and other property insurance stories.