EPISODE · Feb 23, 2026 · 36 MIN
Home Insurance Rate Increases and Psychological Traps That Are Costing You
from NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast · host NerdWallet Personal Finance
Understand common money traps and what to do as homeowners insurance premiums rise across the country. Your brain can be expensive. That’s why hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola break down three behavioral finance biases (loss aversion, herd mentality, and overconfidence) and how they can lead to costly spending and investing decisions. Then, NerdWallet editor Caitlin Constantine joins to answer a listener's question about whether buying a home still makes sense as homeowners insurance premiums skyrocket and coverage gets harder to find in some areas. They dig into “escrow shock,” FAIR plans, why some homeowners go uninsured, and practical ways to plan for higher housing costs. Plus: what renters can and should protect with renters insurance. Want us to review your budget? Fill out this form — completely anonymously if you want — and we might feature your budget in a future segment! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScK53yAufsc4v5UpghhVfxtk2MoyooHzlSIRBnRxUPl3hKBig/viewform?usp=header To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email [email protected]. Like what you hear? Please leave us a review and tell a friend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What this episode covers
Understand common money traps and what to do as homeowners insurance premiums rise across the country. Your brain can be expensive. That’s why hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola break down three behavioral finance biases (loss aversion, herd mentality, and overconfidence) and how they can lead to costly spending and investing decisions. Then, NerdWallet editor Caitlin Constantine joins to answer a listener's question about whether buying a home still makes sense as homeowners insurance premiums skyrocket and coverage gets harder to find in some areas. They dig into “escrow shock,” FAIR plans, why some homeowners go uninsured, and practical ways to plan for higher housing costs. Plus: what renters can and should protect with renters insurance. Want us to review your budget? Fill out this form — completely anonymously if you want — and we might feature your budget in a future segment! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScK53yAufsc4v5UpghhVfxtk2MoyooHzlSIRBnRxUPl3hKBig/viewform?usp=header To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email [email protected]. Like what you hear? Please leave us a review and tell a friend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Home Insurance Rate Increases and Psychological Traps That Are Costing You
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