What drives the risk for expensive homes in Pennsylvania
- Catastrophe exposureSevere storms account for 64 of the 114 billion-dollar weather disasters that affected Pennsylvania from 1980 to 2024, followed by winter storms (20) and tropical systems (16), including Isabel (2003), Ivan (2004), Tropical Storm Lee (2011) and Ida (2021). The pace has risen to about eight a year in 2020 to 2024, against a long-run average of about 2.5. Source
- FloodThe remnants of Hurricane Ida on September 1, 2021 caused what the National Weather Service called historic, catastrophic flooding across eastern Pennsylvania and northern and central New Jersey, with 6 to more than 10 inches of rain and seven tornadoes in the Philadelphia forecast area. Flood is excluded from homeowners policies, and NFIP building coverage stops at $250,000, so expensive homes along rivers and creeks in the Philadelphia suburbs may need excess or private flood coverage. Source
Pennsylvania by the numbers
| Measure | Pennsylvania | Rank among the states | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal major disaster declarations since 2000 | 20 | #38 (tied) of 51 | Most often for severe storm (11), hurricane (4), flood (2). Sullivan County has been in 12 of them. |
| National Flood Insurance Program claims, 2005–2025 | 30,418 | #8 of 51 | $900.8 million paid; 29% of claims with a known flood zone were outside FEMA’s high-risk zones. |
| Homes in high-risk flood zones with a federal flood policy | 22% | #27 of 50 | 20,339 policies for 92,246 homes in the counties FEMA can measure; US: 40%. |
| Hail reports, 2016–2025 | 1,308 | #23 of 51 | 48 of them 2 inches or larger. Largest stone 4 inches, Northumberland County, May 2019. |
| Tornadoes, 2016–2025 | 234 | #24 of 51 | 28 rated EF2 or stronger; 993 recorded since 1950. |
| Earthquakes of magnitude 4.0+, 2000–2025 | 0 | — | None of magnitude 4.0 or greater recorded in or near the state. |
From the public FEMA, NOAA, Storm Prediction Center, USGS and FMCSA records behind each linked report; ranks count all 50 states and Washington, DC unless noted.
When the standard market says no, and what earns credits
- Insurer of last resort and wind poolsThe Pennsylvania FAIR Plan (the Insurance Placement Facility of Pennsylvania) insures 1-4 family dwellings on dwelling fire forms: DP-1, a basic form covering fire and lightning, and DP-2, a broad form with more perils for qualifying risks. Windstorm and hail, smoke, vandalism and similar perils are available as extended coverage. Its coverage page does not publish a maximum dwelling limit. Source
- Mitigation credits and programsPennsylvania's Uniform Construction Code adopts the 2018 International Residential Code, with state amendments, for new one- and two-family homes. For flood hazard areas it keeps the 2009 IRC's elevation requirements in place of the 2018 versions. Source
Worth knowing in Pennsylvania
Homeowners policies usually exclude damage from mine subsidence, so homes over abandoned coal or clay mines can buy coverage from the state's Mine Subsidence Insurance program, which the Department of Environmental Protection runs with limits from $5,000 to $1,000,000. Source
Where high-value homes are in Pennsylvania
Main Line (Gladwyne, Villanova, Bryn Mawr) · New Hope and Bucks County · Chestnut Hill · Fox Chapel · Sewickley
Common questions
Where can an expensive home in Pennsylvania get coverage if insurers decline it?
The Pennsylvania FAIR Plan (the Insurance Placement Facility of Pennsylvania) insures 1-4 family dwellings on dwelling fire forms: DP-1, a basic form covering fire and lightning, and DP-2, a broad form with more perils for qualifying risks. Windstorm and hail, smoke, vandalism and similar perils are available as extended coverage. Its coverage page does not publish a maximum dwelling limit.
Is flood insurance enough for a high-value home in Pennsylvania?
The remnants of Hurricane Ida on September 1, 2021 caused what the National Weather Service called historic, catastrophic flooding across eastern Pennsylvania and northern and central New Jersey, with 6 to more than 10 inches of rain and seven tornadoes in the Philadelphia forecast area. Flood is excluded from homeowners policies, and NFIP building coverage stops at $250,000, so expensive homes along rivers and creeks in the Philadelphia suburbs may need excess or private flood coverage.
Sources
- Pennsylvania: Catastrophe exposure
- Pennsylvania: Insurer of last resort and wind pools
- Pennsylvania: Mitigation credits and programs
- Pennsylvania: Flood
- Pennsylvania: Also worth knowing
General information as of October 2026, not legal advice; confirm current rules with the agency.