It's the highest average increase in more than a decade

• J.D. Power study finds 47% of homeowners saw premium increases in past year, highest in over a decade

• High-value customers most likely to leave insurers after repeated price hikes

• Clear communication and options can ease dissatisfaction, study shows

Premium hikes drive customer defection

Almost half of U.S. homeowners insurance customers (47%) experienced a premium increase in the past year, the highest rate of insurer-initiated hikes in more than 10 years, according to the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Home Insurance Study released Wednesday.

The trend is hitting the most profitable segment of the market especially hard. Among high-value customersthose with multiple policies and higher premiums49% reported a rate increase. These customers are significantly more likely to switch insurers after repeated hikes, threatening long-term revenue streams for carriers.

In a year marked by inflation, severe weather and tightening reinsurance markets, home insurance premiums have risen sharply in many parts of the country, said Craig Martin, executive director of global insurance intelligence at J.D. Power. While these increases often reflect real cost pressures, theyre also eroding trust and driving customers to shop for alternatives.

Trust and loyalty eroding

The study found that 43% of customers who had a rate increase and do not plan to renew cited the price hike as their reason for switching. Trust levels also decline among those facing insurer-initiated increases, with customers reporting that carriers become harder to work with.

For high-value customers unlikely to renew, 45% cited repeated rate increases as the main driver of defection. Among low-value customers, the figure was just 30%.

Communication makes a difference

Insurers can mitigate the negative effects of premium hikes by proactively explaining the reasons behind increases and offering options to reduce costs, the study found. When customers fully understood the rationale and had choices, overall satisfaction averaged 721 out of 1,000higher than customers who had no increase at all.

Amica ranked highest in the homeowners insurance segment with a score of 705, followed by Chubb (677) and Erie Insurance (676). In the renters insurance category, Amica also ranked first (711), ahead of Erie Insurance (705) and CSAA Insurance Group (689).

The 2025 study was based on responses from 14,511 homeowners and renters gathered between July 2024 and May 2025.

The retailer is also preparing consumers for holiday shopping with gifts starting at $5

• Target is rolling out 20,000 new holiday items this season thats roughly double last years number.

• Thousands of gifts starting at just $5, with many items under $20.

• The big sale kicks off October 511, 2025, featuring deals on gifts, fall styles, and essentials. VIP access starts Oct. 4 for Target Circle 360 members.

Targets upping its holiday game in 2025 with a massive new assortment.

There are 20,000 new items many of them exclusive to Target spanning holiday dcor, fashion, toys, beauty, and more.

On top of that, prices are designed to hit a sweet spot for gift-givers on a budget: thousands of items begin at just $5 and most stay under $20. Even beauty products will have some deals starting as low as $3.

Theyre also expanding faster delivery, to make it easier to get purchases when you need them.

"With our unmatched combination of great products and great prices, Target is making it possible for everyone to celebrate the holidays on a budget," Rick Gomez, executive vice president and chief commercial officer, Target, said in a news release.

Target Circle Week: Your key savings window

Circle Week is Targets weeklong shopping event thats timed like an early holiday kickoff. Heres what to mark on your calendar and how to make the most of it:

During Circle Week, expect big markdowns on fall staples, holiday gifts, and everyday essentials youll use anyhow. As always with Target, many of the deals are exclusive or early-bird.

Big holiday deals youll want to snag

Here are some of the most exciting items and categories shoppers should keep an eye on many with exclusive drops and great price points:

• Pop Culture & Exclusive Collections. Target is partnering again with hit franchises like Stranger Things and Wicked: For Good. Expect exclusive items across many categories: apparel, home dcor, toys, collectibles, drinkware, themed fashion.

• Beauty Gifts Starting Very Low. Around 60% of Targets beauty gifting assortment will be exclusive to Target, and some beauty items will start as low as $3. Think lip charms, fragrance sets, grooming kits small gift items with high style value.

• Home & Decor Under Budget. From faux-fur blankets and cozy, cashmere-like sweaters to seasonal ornaments, pillows, festive tableware, etc. Many dcor items will follow that same trend: exclusive designs, holiday-themed pieces, and price tags that stay comfortably under $20.

• Toys & Tech for Less. Expect lots of holiday toy drops, including both classics (LEGO, Barbie, Paw Patrol) and trendier items. Tech and wellness gifts (think small gadgets, personal care) will be more affordable and accessible.

• Food & Gifting Extras. Target is offering expanded assortments of treats festive foods, ready-to-bake items, snacks, and sweet gifts for hosting. These are great add-ons or smaller gifts, especially for neighbors, co-workers, etc.

• Deal of the Day & Weekly Deals After Nov. 1. If you miss something during Circle Week, dont worry starting November 1, Target is planning hundreds of weekly deals, including its Deal of the Day feature that includes savings up to 50% off on select items.

The probe could lead to a recall if a serious safety risk is found

By Truman Lewis of ConsumerAffairs

Shoppers can start saving today ahead of the sales event

• Amazons Prime Big Deal Days is officially returning October 7-8.

• The retailer has several ways for shoppers to start saving now three weeks ahead of the sales event.

• Start your holiday shopping early with Amazons Holiday Shop and deals on millions of items across the site.

Its that time of year again: sales time!

Amazon officially announced that its multi-day Prime Big Deal Days sales event will be returning October 7-8.

While the sale is still a few weeks away from officially kicking off, shoppers can start saving on select sales today and start preparing for holiday shopping.

Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days returns October 78, kicking off the 2025 holiday shopping season with millions of deals and deep discounts across popular categories like home, apparel, toys, and beauty, the company wrote in a news release.

Starting October 7 at 12:01 a.m. PDT, Prime members can shop seasonal savings across Amazons wide selectionfrom beauty must-haves and top electronics to deals on some of the most anticipated gifts of the season.

Whats on sale now?

Though Amazon is touting millions of items on sale, shoppers dont have to wait to start saving. Heres a look at some of the deals available now:

• In-store grocery savings: Prime members can save $15 when they spend $55+ at Amazon Fresh through October 8.

• Amazon devices on sale: A number of products in the Amazon suite of devices are half off right now, including: Kindle, Ring, Fire Tablets, Echo Dot, and more.

• Prime card holders can save: The Prime Visa credit card comes with extra perks. For starters, upon approval for the card, consumers will receive a $150 Amazon gift card. Then, cardholders will receive extra cashback during Prime Big Deal Days, as well as on year-round purchases.

• Gas savings: Starting October 3, Prime members can save up to $1.00/gallon on all gas purchases up to 35 gallons at any bp, Amoco, and ampm gas stations.

• Kindle deals: Eligible Prime members can score up to three months free of Kindle Unlimited, and a select number of titles are currently 80% off.

• Free McDonalds: Between September 15 and October 5, Prime members who use their free GrubHub+ membership can get a free McDonalds 10-piece chicken nugget every single day (on orders of at least $20).

• Young adults save more: Primes Young Adult membership comes in at half the price of a traditional membership. Anyone aged 18-24 can get the first six months of Prime free, and then at $7.49/month or $69/year.

• Artist merch: Those looking for artist merchandise can get 30% off when they shop through Amazon Music.

Prepare for Prime Day

Shoppers must have a Prime membership to qualify for Prime Big Deal Days sales. For those without Prime accounts, you can get a 30-day free trial, before paying either $14.99/month or $139/year.

During the sales, shoppers can take advantage of Amazons Holiday Shop. With curated gift guides, you can start getting your holiday shopping done ahead of time.