The Zebra

What Is Self-Insurance? Self-insurance occurs when an individual assumes financial responsibility for losses that would otherwise be covered by insurance.

Driving with interior lights on is not illegal in most states, but it can still be dangerous. Here is what the law actually says.

New Orleans is the only major American city that sits below sea level[3], so it's not a shock that it takes the top spot on our list of worst cities for home insurance. It has the highest non-renewal rate out of all the cities on our list, with existing home insurance policies averaging more than $9,000 per year. The city's downtown area is also one of the most vulnerable to natural disasters, higher than 96% of the nation.

DIY conversions are difficult and costly to insure because they lack standardization and may not meet safety or regulatory requirements. "Adventure vans give people the freedom of vanlife without requiring them to sell everything and live on the road." Ask McDermott and she’ll tell you that a DIY van could be a great fit for someone who enjoys life on the road, problem-solving, and customizing every inch of space.

Percent of U.S. Roads in Poor Condition Why is This Happening? Potholes are primarily formed from a combination of water, traffic, and temperature swings. Water seeps into cracks in the asphalt, freezes, and expands, pushing the pavement upward. When the ice melts, it leaves a void beneath the surface. The weight of passing vehicles collapses the unsupported asphalt, and a pothole is born.

Why Renters Are Highly Vulnerable to Climate Change Data from the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University highlights a stark reality: roughly 41% of the nation’s rental units (over 18 million homes) are located in counties classified as "high-risk" by FEMA. Several factors leave tenants financially exposed.

Metric2026 Prediction (Average)30-Year Historical Average Named Storms 11 – 13 14.4 Hurricanes 4 – 6 7.2 Major Hurricanes (Cat 3+) 1 – 2 3.2 Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE) ~63 – 90 123 Why the Downturn? The headline for 2026 is the transition from La Niña to El Niño. El Niño and La Niña are opposite phases of a natural climate cycle in the tropical Pacific Ocean known as the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO). ENSO disrupts normal weather patterns globally every two to seven years.

Why Auto Insurance Claims Get Denied Insurance companies deny claims for many different reasons. Some denials are straightforward, while others involve more complex policy or liability disputes. Common reasons for denied auto insurance claims include: Missed payments The policy was inactive at the time of the event due to missed payments Excluded damage The damage is excluded under the policy, such as if you only carry liability coverage and have a comprehensive claim.

Homeowners’ Understanding of Insurance Concepts by Experience Level in the United States Now let’s dive into these various aspects of home insurance policies, why they are confusing and how to help untangle

“Renters insurance generally covers personal property, some liability if someone gets hurt in your space and, in many cases, additional living expenses if you are displaced,” continues Kovar. “What it often doesn’t cover, for example, is flooding or earthquakes, and many policyholders don’t find that out until they are already dealing with the aftermath of a loss.