how often (percentage wise) is a home declared a total loss?

An insurance company declares a home a total loss when the cost of the repairs is greater than the actual cash value of the home. The percentage of total losses is dictated by two things: the region and by the type of hazard that the region possesses. Here is a cumulative breakdown of regions and the percentages of losses they hold.

Great Plains - This area of the United States includes: Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Montana.

These states are known for having destructive tornados that cause irreparable damage on homes. In the past five years, the Great Plains region has accumulated about 25% of the total loses in the U.S.

Southeast/Northeast Border (Coastal States) - This area of the United States includes: Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, New York and New Jersey. These states have been known for their massive life altering hurricanes and carry an average 31% of total losses in the U.S.