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Landslide insurance: When landslides and sinkholes damage Pennsylvania houses, homeowners often have limited options
Spotlight PA link: https://www.spotlightpa.org/statecollege/2025/08/pennsylvania-landslide-sinkhole-government-insurance-harrisburg-homeowners-rural-issues/
BELLEFONTE — When landslides and sinkholes damage Pennsylvania houses, homeowners often have limited options to cover repairs and can end up stuck paying a mortgage on an unlivable property. Now, state House lawmakers want a government-run insurance program to help fill this gap.
A bill introduced by state Rep. Emily Kinkead (D., Allegheny) would use $10 million from the state’s General Fund to establish the proposed Landslide and Sinkhole Insurance Program, modeled after a similar plan that helps homeowners cover damage from collapsed mines.
After the initial taxpayer-funded investment, Kinkead hopes the program — which would initially reimburse applicants up to $150,000 — becomes self-sustaining through premium payments.
The legislation would also establish a board to oversee the program within the Department of Community and Economic Development, and work with agencies and local governments to rank community risk, publish geological maps online, and recommend best practices for local governments to mitigate landslide and sinkhole risks.
- more at link -
A bill introduced by state Rep. Emily Kinkead (D., Allegheny) would use $10 million from the state’s General Fund to establish the proposed Landslide and Sinkhole Insurance Program, modeled after a similar plan that helps homeowners cover damage from collapsed mines.
After the initial taxpayer-funded investment, Kinkead hopes the program — which would initially reimburse applicants up to $150,000 — becomes self-sustaining through premium payments.
The legislation would also establish a board to oversee the program within the Department of Community and Economic Development, and work with agencies and local governments to rank community risk, publish geological maps online, and recommend best practices for local governments to mitigate landslide and sinkhole risks.
This sounds like a great idea, and we're familiar with the hazards of mine subsidence that are covered by our state's insurance.
More info here: https://www.pa.gov/services/dep/apply-for-department-of-environmental-protection-mine-subsidence-insurance
The new proposal for PA insurance coverage on landslides and sinkholes is a similar program.
4 replies
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= new reply since forum marked as read
Or if they were mapped 150 years ago, those maps are irrelevant today due to modern developments. Property owners around here don't always know what's beneath the surface of the land we're buying. It's a scary thought.
