A new independent research study about the effect of Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) Fortified Home designations on home values in Mobile and Baldwin counties in Alabama found that switching from a conventional construction standard to a Fortified designation increases the value of a home by nearly seven percent. The additional cost of building or […]

The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) and Munich Re, US recently launched a new app to help builders, contractors, architects and homeowners design and build stronger, safer structures for severe weather. FORTIFIED Home On the Go is an interactive tablet app available for free from the iTunes Store. It helps homeowners, contractors and […]

In conjunction with National PrepareAthon! Day tomorrow, the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) has launched EZ-PREP, an emergency preparedness and response planning guide for small businesses. “Unfortunately, many businesses are not prepared to respond to disasters,” says Gail Moraton, IBHS business resiliency program manager. “Small businesses can be particularly vulnerable during any […]

The Tampa, Fla.-based Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), is backing President Obama’s recently signed executive order, Establishing a Federal Earthquake Risk Management Standard, which he signed last week. IBHS supports the administration’s efforts to create more resilient communities in areas at risk for earthquakes. The new standard requires federal agencies to use earthquake-resistant design […]

A bill aimed at reforming North Carolina’s building code to “promote economic growth” is making its way through the state legislature with bipartisan support, but it’s receiving criticism from outside organizations. Specifically, the North Carolina Building Code Regulatory Reform bill (HB 255) will ensure building inspections are done uniformly throughout the state, among other things. Republican […]

The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) is making waves in the coastal states. The institute released the second edition of its “Rating the States” reports. The study assesses the progress of 18 hurricane-prone coastal states along the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Coast in strengthening their residential building code systems since IBHS’ […]

“The devastation and damage to homes and businesses caused by tornadoes can and should be reduced by better construction methods,” says Dr. Tim Reinhold, chief engineer and senior vice president of research at the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS). Reinhold has new recommendations to reduce tornado damage through stronger construction practices and […]

As the two-year anniversary of Hurricane Sandy approaches on October 29, the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) has issued an advisory to residents in affected areas to rebuild and repair their communities, homes and businesses to be stronger and more hurricane-resistant. IBHS recommends specific guidelines for “Rebuilding and Repairing Safer and Stronger […]

Following Hurricane Charley, which hit southwest Florida 10 years ago, Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) researchers conducted a post-disaster research project. Several recurring lessons are still applicable today for consumers living in hurricane-prone states. The research found that stronger building codes improve the performance of houses during a hurricane. IBHS conducted a […]

The House of Representatives passed a bill this week that calls for an amendment of the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act of 2004. The bill, the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act Reauthorization of 2013 (H.R. 1786), authorizes funding for increased research to reduce the vulnerability of homes and businesses to wind-related hazards. The bill was […]