FEMA Administrator Slams Failures to Carry Insurance, Prepare & Evacuate Before Storms

A hurricane on earth viewed from space. This is a rendered image.

Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Brock Long angrily criticized the failure of citizens to heed evacuation warnings and leaders to better prepare for natural disasters such as Hurricane Michael. “It’s frustrating to us because we repeat this same cycle over and over again,” Long said during a press briefing Friday at FEMA headquarters in Washington.… Continue reading FEMA Administrator Slams Failures to Carry Insurance, Prepare & Evacuate Before Storms

The Rising Costs of Hurricanes

Hurricane Harvey Impacts

Counties along the U.S. shoreline that endured hurricane-strength winds from Florence in September experienced a surge in population from 1980 to 2017, with an increase of 95 people per square mile—more than double the density. Overall, Gulf and East Coast shoreline counties, those vulnerable to hurricane strikes, increased by 160 people per square mile, compared… Continue reading The Rising Costs of Hurricanes

Hurricane Michael to Test Florida’s Unique Insurance Market

Aerial drone shot of homes destroyed in the Florida Keys Hurricane Irma

Much of the damage to homes from Hurricane Michael will be paid by an array of small, little-known insurers, backed up by larger reinsurance companies around the globe. Florida is an oddball insurance market for homeowners, where household-name companies like State Farm and Allstate Corp. don’t have the outsize roles they do in other states.… Continue reading Hurricane Michael to Test Florida’s Unique Insurance Market

Chubb Announces Preliminary Q3 Net Catastrophe Loss Estimates of $372M

Underwriting losses persist in P/C insurance

Chubb Limited on Wednesday announced preliminary net loss estimates in the third quarter of 2018 attributable to natural catastrophes globally, of $450 million pre-tax, or $372 million after tax. The company noted that the losses are attributable to more than 20 separate weather events including Hurricane Florence in the U.S., a rain and hailstorm in… Continue reading Chubb Announces Preliminary Q3 Net Catastrophe Loss Estimates of $372M

Hurricane Michael Wind & Surge Insured Loss Up to $4.5B: Corelogic

The wind and storm surge related insurance industry loss from hurricane Michael is estimated to be between $2 billion and $4.5 billion by Corelogic, based on a pre-landfall data assessment of the storms impacts to insured assets. Hurricane Michael made landfall in the Florida Panhandle earlier today as a strong Category 4 hurricane with sustained… Continue reading Hurricane Michael Wind & Surge Insured Loss Up to $4.5B: Corelogic

InsureMyTrip Can Now Predict What Travel Insurance Is Right for Travelers During Hurricane Season

InsureMyTrip can now predict which travel insurance plans are most appropriate and relevant for those traveling during hurricane season (June 1 – November 30) to storm-prone destinations. The groundbreaking recommendation engine automatically filters thousands of options, enabling travelers to find the right travel insurance plan roughly 10x faster than comparing quotes manually online. This latest… Continue reading InsureMyTrip Can Now Predict What Travel Insurance Is Right for Travelers During Hurricane Season

Many Pensions and Endowments Are Exposed to Hurricane Michael

Huge hurricane between Florida and Cuba. Elements of this image furnished by NASA

Pension funds, endowments, wealthy families and other large investors could be on the hook for a portion of damages caused by Hurricane Michael, which intensified Wednesday. The exposure for these large investors stems from their ownership in catastrophe bonds, which are issued by insurers or entities seeking insurance. The investors receive interest payments but can… Continue reading Many Pensions and Endowments Are Exposed to Hurricane Michael

Arizona University Researchers Collaborate to Forecast, Track Flooded Infrastructure

The National Science Foundation has awarded a $1.5 million Smart and Connected Communities grant to a team of researchers at Arizona’s three public universities to develop a network that integrates existing technologies and crowdsourced data to improve real-time knowledge of flooding and enhance communication during flood events. The Integrated Flood Stage Observation Network (IFSON) will… Continue reading Arizona University Researchers Collaborate to Forecast, Track Flooded Infrastructure

FL Governor Declares State of Emergency as Hurricane Michael Heads for Sunshine State

A hurricane on earth viewed from space. This is a rendered image.

Tropical Storm Michael has been upgraded to a hurricane as it churns in the Gulf and is forecast to become a major Category 3 storm when it makes landfall in the Florida Panhandle later this week. Florida Gov. Rick Scott has now declared a state of emergency in 35 counties ahead of its predicted landfall… Continue reading FL Governor Declares State of Emergency as Hurricane Michael Heads for Sunshine State

Why Florence Is Dangerous for Insurers

A stormy view off the end of a fishing pier into the Atlantic Ocean. Rough seas are from the remnants of Hurricane Irma.

Some hurricanes are worse than others—both for people in the way and the insurance industry that tries to understand storms and put a price on their risks. Hurricane Florence is highly unusual both because of where it is heading and the storm surges and flooding it might bring. That could be painful for the industry… Continue reading Why Florence Is Dangerous for Insurers