Midwest Map—Route Your Coverage

The gas tank is full, the GPS is set, and the open road lies ahead. America’s heartland stretches out before us in ribbons of asphalt and farmland, reaching endlessly toward the horizon. This Midwest road trip wouldn’t be complete without Michael Jackson’s greatest hits and some “Purple Rain” from Prince as we head toward the wind‑whipped plains, factory towns, farm roads, and lake‑effect storms that make headlines without needing an ocean.

The wind picks up across North and South Dakota, then the pavement thickens as we roll through the Corn Belt of Nebraska, Kansas, and Iowa. We turn north where Great Lakes breezes sweep across Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. The route bends east through the manufacturing corridors of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois before crossing the Mississippi into Missouri.

Regional Risks Make for a Rocky Ride

The engine hums steadily as we ease onto the wide, open roads of North Dakota, the vast prairie stretching endlessly beside us. The radio crackles with weather alerts—hailstorms ahead near the rugged Badlands. There’s no hiding the dings and dents our car will take on this journey. Out here, convective storms—severe storms that may bring thunder, lightning, heavy rain, hail, or strong winds—dominate the forecast. The events of 2025 reminded us that the Midwest is ground zero for these storms.

Hailstorms battered homes and cars across the Midwest, with many wind and hail claims emerging outside the traditional “storm alley.” Our claims advisors note that Midwestern states have the highest probability of hail over the largest area—not just in the United States, but worldwide—with some areas experiencing hail on up to 15 days per year. As a result, more markets are requiring wind and hail deductibles, which can significantly increase out-of-pocket expenses, depending on the home’s value. While hail is inevitable, you may reduce your risk by parking your car indoors or under covered parking when severe weather is expected.

March 2025 was a month to remember. A tornado outbreak swept through parts of the Midwest, including Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, and Iowa, with more than 100 tornadoes touching down over three days. Missouri was among the hardest hit, where a powerful EF3 tornado caused extensive damage and multimillion-dollar claims. The Show Me State broke its annual tornado record in 2025 with 118 confirmed tornadoes. Meanwhile, the first EF5 twister in 13 years touched down near Enderlin, North Dakota, causing catastrophic damage and loss of life later in the season.

From Nebraska’s Black Hills to central Illinois and down through Missouri, a summer storm led to flood and wind claims impacting the Chicago area, large hail in the Dakotas, and thousands of downed trees and power lines across Minnesota’s Twin Cities metro. Industry forecasters estimate hundreds of millions in insured losses from these events alone.

Then, there was the battle of the blaze. Nebraska saw notable wildfire activity, including the Plum Creek Fire and several other blazes that burned tens of thousands of acres early in the season, fueled by dry conditions and gusty winds typical of Great Plains wildfires. Missouri also faced an unusually active early wildfire season, with dry conditions and high winds in March sparking hundreds of grass and brush fires that scorched over 15,000 acres, stretching local fire response resources thin. These wildfire events added another layer of complexity to an already intense year of natural hazards across the region.

Hail, High Costs, and Home Coverage

After miles on the road, it’s time to refuel—both the car and our appetite. We pull off near Lincoln, Nebraska, stretch our legs, and enjoy a cheesy Runza sandwich while swapping stories about housing and life on the move.

Homeowners insurance premiums are rising across the U.S., driven by increasing severe weather losses, higher rebuilding costs, and insurers adjusting risk pricing. Analysts estimate the average annual premium for a $300,000 home ranges from about $2,100 to $2,400 this year, according to NerdWallet and Bankrate. Consumer advocates point to hail—not tornadoes—as the main factor behind rising costs for homeowners.

• Nebraska leads the Midwest with the highest average annual costs for homeowners. NerdWallet ranked it the third-most-expensive state for coverage at $375 a month, largely due to severe storm exposure.
• Kansas isn’t far behind, with average annual premiums at around $2,505.
• Illinois is seeing a 27% increase in homeowners' insurance after an active convective season and rising claims severity.

Elsewhere, lawmakers across the region are debating consumer protections, disaster recovery standards, and mitigation incentives as insurers and policyholders navigate affordability and availability challenges.

Pumping the Brakes on Auto Premiums

The real test of this road trip comes as we approach Chicago’s I‑294 corridor. Defensive driving isn’t just a choice here—it’s a survival tactic to avoid collisions with vehicles swerving through jam-packed lanes. We’ll take the toll road to grab some snacks—a few tins of Garrett popcorn and a couple of chili cheese dogs from Portillo’s will help keep us going until we cross the Mississippi. 

The Midwest still enjoys relatively affordable auto insurance compared to coastal regions. States like Iowa, Indiana, Ohio, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin consistently rank among the cheapest for auto insurance. Bankrate’s 2026 rankings place these states in the bottom third nationally for average premiums.

Then there’s Michigan. Long-standing no-fault rules, combined with inflation on parts and labor, have kept auto rates well above national averages. Although recent reforms aimed at cost containment began lowering rates in 2025, many Michigan drivers still pay about twice as much as those in neighboring states like Ohio or Indiana.

Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, and Nebraska tend to fall closer to the national average. While generally affordable, premiums in these states are influenced by larger metro areas like Chicago, Minneapolis and St. Louis, which experience more traffic and claims.
 

Legislative Construction Zones

Every road trip hits construction zones, and with new laws coming in for 2026, orange cones are popping up along the route, signaling changes to watch for.

Kansas: Senate Bill 42 requires a web‑based insurance verification system for motor vehicle liability insurance starting July 1, 2026. This system will enable electronic verification of auto insurance for registration and enforcement purposes.

Minnesota: Effective January 1, 2026, new rules aim to prevent insurance premium fraud and increase transparency for businesses and insurers.

North Dakota: Senate Bill 2374, effective August 2025, modernizes insurance requirements and clarifies how surplus lines policies are handled.

Missouri: The Peer-to-Peer Car-Sharing Program Insurance Act outlines insurance coverage and liability for shared vehicles, drivers, and platforms.

Iowa: A new hands-free driving law expands the ban on texting and driving to all handheld devices, with penalties ranging from $100 to $1,000.

These changes reflect a broader regional effort to modernize insurance oversight as risks and technology accelerate.

Watching the Speed Limit on Nuclear Verdicts

The cruise control clicks off as we enter litigation territory: St. Louis.

Nuclear verdicts—jury awards exceeding $10 million—continued to influence underwriting discussions in 2025 in both personal and commercial cases. Some states are more litigious than others when it comes to awarding nuclear verdicts. Missouri consistently ranks among the top states for high-value jury awards, and St. Louis is ranked sixth among U.S. “judicial hellholes.” Recent cases include:

• A $25 million jury award to the parents of a two-year-old girl who drowned in a defective above-ground pool.
• A $50 million wrongful death settlement involving a medical device company after a man with intellectual disabilities died when respiratory equipment allegedly failed.
• A $48.1 million jury award to a family after a baby suffered permanent brain injury due to prolonged labor and a delayed C-section. This became the largest medical malpractice award in Missouri history.
• Meanwhile, Minnesota also made national news in 2025 when a jury awarded $65 million in a talcum powder case against Johnson & Johnson.

These outcomes extend far beyond courtrooms, affecting liability pricing and highlighting the importance of excess and umbrella coverage.

Driving Through Digital Danger Zones

The digital world is woven into the fabric of our journey, bringing unseen vulnerabilities at every turn. From smart devices in our vehicles to connected infrastructure, cyber threats have become an invisible hazard on Midwest roads.

Minnesota: In July 2025, a major coordinated cyberattack on the City of St. Paul shut down municipal systems and prompted National Guard involvement.

Illinois: The Illinois Department of Human Services discovered a significant security leak in its mapping system, exposing personal data—including names and case numbers—for hundreds of thousands of Medicaid and Medicare beneficiaries.

Large healthcare data breaches continued across the U.S. in 2025, with reports showing hundreds of incidents that exposed millions of records. States including Michigan, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, and Wisconsin reported breaches to federal authorities.

Building Resilience Before the Next Storm

Before we hit the final stretch of highway, it’s worth pulling over to check our risk‑readiness kit. In a region where hail can fall sideways, rivers can rise overnight, and winter storms can crack windshields, resilience is becoming a critical part of insurability—not just peace of mind.

• Choose Class 4‑rated roofing materials: Synthetic products, metal, and tile are better equipped to withstand Midwest hailstorms and high winds. Research from IBHS shows that Class 4 roofs can significantly reduce hail‑related losses.
• Manage trees and landscaping. Trim overhanging branches and remove dead trees to reduce wind damage during storms. Clearing brush and debris also helps limit fire risk during dry, windy conditions.
• Adopt smart‑home and fire‑safety technology: Heat sensors in attics and garages, low‑temperature monitors to prevent frozen pipes, and connected alarms can detect issues early and reduce claim severity.
• Consider flood insurance—even outside mapped flood zones: About one‑third of recent national flood insurance claims came from outside high‑risk flood areas.
• Protect your personal information: Avoid sharing personally identifiable details or payment information with unknown individuals, especially online.

Your Trusted Co-Pilot

Severe weather, rising rebuilding costs, new laws, and digital threats are changing coverage decisions across the states. Staying protected means regular coverage reviews, smart mitigation choices, and having a trusted guide by your side.

At Marsh McLennan Agency Private Client Services, our insurance advisors ride shotgun with you—mile after mile, storm after storm—to help you navigate America’s heartland. We’ll work to secure personalized coverage and advocate on your behalf, helping you prepare for the journey ahead.