Checking Climate Risk Before You Buy a House When Listings Don't Show It
You can still check a home's exposure to floods, wildfire, heat, and wind before buying, even though some listing sites no longer show risk scores on the page. Use official hazard maps, third-party risk tools, seller disclosures, and early insurance quotes to build a picture, and treat any single score as an estimate rather than a certainty.
What changed on Zillow
In 2024, Zillow added climate risk ratings to many listings, covering wildfire, flood, extreme heat, wind, and air quality. The data came from First Street, a nonprofit that models climate hazards. Zillow said at the time that climate risk had become a major factor for many buyers.
By late 2025, Zillow had removed those on-page scores. According to reporting first published by the Guardian, the change followed complaints from some agents, homeowners, and a large California listing service that the ratings seemed arbitrary, could not be disputed, and hurt sales. Listings now link out to First Street's own site instead.
First Street's chief executive argued that removing the scores leaves buyers less informed and simply shifts risk from before a purchase to after it. A climate risk researcher at Tulane, on the other hand, said property-level models carry real uncertainty and that the industry cannot realistically hide climate information anyway.
Both views can be true at once: the tools are imperfect, and the risks are real.
Why climate risk matters for your budget
Insurance costs and availability
Lenders usually require homeowners insurance, and in some areas they also require flood coverage. In regions hit by repeated disasters, premiums have risen and some insuerrs have pulled back. A home that looks affordable can become much less so once insurance is priced.
Repair and recovery costs
Damage from storms, floods, and fires can be expensive even with insurance, because of deductibles, coverage limits, and items that are excluded.
Resale considerations
Future buyers may weigh climate risk more heavily, which could affect demand. Nobody can predict exactly how markets will respond, so treat this as one factor among many.
Where to look for risk information
Official flood maps
Look, FEMA publishes flood maps that show designated flood zones. These maps can lag behind current conditions, so a home outside a mapped zone may still flood. Your lender will tell you whether flood insurance is required.
State and local hazard maps
Many states and counties publish wilfdire hazard zones, landslide maps, or coastal erosion data. Your local planning or emergency management office is a good place to start.
Third-party risk tools
Services such as First Street provide property-level scores for several hazards. Use them for direction, check how they define each score, and compare with official sources.
Seller disclosures and history
Disclosure rules vary by state. Ask directly about past flooding, insurance claims, and repairs. A CLUE report, which lists past insurance claims on a property, may be available through the seller.
Your own inspection
Inspectors may flag drainage problems, roof condition, and signs of past water damage. In fire-prone areas, ask about defensible space and roofing materials.
A vehicle lease is another contract worth checking before it ends. If you have a leased car, using a tool to compare your car's lease equity against its payoff can help you plan the vehicle side of your budget with fewer surprises.
Get insurance quotes early
Many buyers wait until just before closing to shop for insurance. In higher-risk areas, it is safer to request quotes during your inspection period. Ask about deductibles for named storms or wind, separate flood coverage, and any exclusions. If quotes come back far higher than expected, you may still have time to renegotiate or reconsider, depending on your contract.
Questions to ask before you make an offer
Before committing to a property, try to answer a few climate-related questions. Has this home or street flooded before, and how was it repaired? What hazard zones does the parcel fall into on official maps? What do insurance quotes look like for the coverage your lender requires, and for optional coverage you might want? Are there local building rules or mitigation programs, such as fire-resistant roofing incentives or flood elevation requirements, that could affect future costs? Writing these down helps you compare homes more consistently and spot gaps in what you know.
Frequently asked questions
Are property-level climate scores accurate?
They are model-based estimates. Some experts question how precise they can be for a single house, while providers say their methods are peer-reviewed and tested against real events. Use them alongside official maps and local knowledge.
Do I need flood insurance outside a FEMA flood zone?
Your lender may not require it, but flooding can happen outside mapped zones. Many buyers get a quote anyway and decide based on cost and their own comfort level.
Can a seller hide past flood damage?
Disclosure requirements depend on state law. Ask direct questions, review any disclosures carefully, and consider requesting the property's insurance claim history.
When should I contact an insurance agent?
Ideally before or right after your offer is accepted, so you have time to react if coverage is expensive or hard to find.
Will climate risk lower a home's value?
It might in some places, but markets are influenced by many factors and no one can forecast exact effects. Consider how long you plan to stay and how much risk you are comfortable carrying.
The bottom line
Listings may not show climate scores anymore, but the information is still within reach. Check official maps and independent tools, ask detailed questions, get insurance quotes early, and talk with local professionals about current risks and rules in your area.