110 Iowa L. Rev. 2311 (2025)

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Abstract

As climate change increases the frequency and destructiveness of extreme-weather events, first-party insurers’ costs have skyrocketed from the resulting policy claims. Insurers and experts have recognized these risks since the early 1990s, but the industry has been slow to meaningfully respond. While an extensive body of insurance–climate literature exists, comparatively little has been written about one of insurers’ most important risk-management tools: subrogation. This Note argues that first-party insurers should bring aggregate subrogation claims against major greenhouse gas emitters to recoup casualty losses from storms strengthened by climate change.