Report: Global warming to worsen coastal insurance woes

Homeowners and businesses are finding it harder to afford, or even obtain, insurance in coastal states after catastrophes such as Hurricane Katrina, and global warming is going to make the situation worse, according to a report released by a nonprofit environmental advocacy group. Insurance companies faced with record claims after recent active hurricane seasons and predictions of more destructive storms ahead are reducing their risks by walking away from hurricane-prone areas in states along the Southeast coast and Gulf of Mexico or dramatically raising premiums, Environmental Defense found.