The Price is Wrong

Insurance companies are not climate activists, but they know more about climate risk than just about anyone. And as storms get more extreme and unpredictable a lot of insurers are running the numbers on Florida and realizing that the math just isn’t working anymore. For decades, low cost insurance helped mask the risks of living in some of the riskiest parts of the country. However a climate correction is now underway. Prices are skyrocketing. And on America’s riskiest peninsula, residents are beginning to feel climate change where it hurts—in their bank accounts.

Not Built For This

is a 6-part mini-series from 99% Invisible, with new episodes on Tuesdays and Fridays in the 99% Invisible feed. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Credits

This episode was reported and produced by Jayson De Leon and Emmett FitzGerald, along with producer Sofie Kodner and managing editor Delaney Hall. Further invaluable editing from Christopher Johnson, Joe Rosenberg, Kelly Prime, and of course our Captain, Roman Mars. Mix and sound design by Martín Gonzalez. Theme and original music by George Langford from Actual Magic with additional music by Swan Real. Fact-checking by Graham Hacia. Series art by Aaron Nestor.

Jayson spoke with Jason Vuic author of The Swamp Peddlers: How Lot Sellers, Land Scammers, and Retirees Built Modern Florida and Transformed the American Dream; Bill Spikowski of Spikowski Planning Associates in Fort Myers, Florida; Carolyn Kousky at the Environmental Defense Fund; Marion and Loyd Morris; Gloria Raso Tate of Raso Realty in Cape Coral; and Wyatt Daltry floodplain manager for the city of Cape Coral. Archival for this episode provided by the University of Florida Samuel Proctor Oral History Program with permission from David Dodrill author of Selling The Dream: The Gulf American Corporation and the Building of Cape Coral, Florida.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

All Categories

Minimize Maximize

Playlist