Rising extreme weather risk places property insurance in uncomfortable position

extreme weather risks trend insurance industry

An increase in severe storms, flooding, wind, wildfires and other disasters are driving claims skyward. Flooding and wildfires are making massive headlines this summer and this extreme weather risk is placing considerable pressure on the property insurance industry. These types of disaster are spiking the number and cost of business and homeowners insurance claims. In fact, the extreme weather risk may have a greater economic toll on the insurance industry than any other industry in the world. Though insurers have been increasingly aware of the threat of climate change with…

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Texas auto insurance claims filed by the thousands, and they’re just getting started

Floodwaters flood auto insurance claims

Insurers covering vehicles in areas affected by Hurricane Harvey expect hundreds of thousands of claims. Auto insurance claims have already started filing in as a result of Hurricane Harvey, but despite the high numbers, they’re just getting started. Insurance companies throughout the affected regions are bracing for hundreds of thousands more. In fact, as of last Thursday, the 100,000 mark had already been passed. “We do know that approximately 100,000 claims have come in,” said the Insurance Council of Texas manager of governmental and regulatory communications, Matt Stillwell. That trade…

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Insurance drones will be broadly deployed by Hurricane Harvey claims adjusters

hurricane insurance drones

The use of these unmanned aerial vehicles has been adopted by Allstate, State Farm and other major property insurers. Property insurance companies in Texas and Louisiana, such as Allstate and State Farm, are preparing to use their insurance drones to survey the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. This insurance technology is expected to have an important role in inspecting commercial and residential damage. The insurance drones will first take to the air early this week, once the last of Hurricane Harvey makes its way out of the regions. If all goes…

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Federal flood insurance program stuck on hold as Hurricane Harvey tallies climb

Federal Flood Insurance - US Congress

Southeastern Texas was devastated by the storm, placing the focus back on NFIP and the GOP restructuring effort. The Federal flood insurance program is in limbo at the moment while Texans face catastrophe following Hurricane Harvey. The Republicans have been trying to restructure the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Their goal has been to partially privatize it. NFIP is a subsidized program that costs taxpayers tens of billions in federal subsidies. The federal flood insurance program is facing an upcoming deadline of September 30. Unless Congress agrees to extend the…

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New Texas insurance law may make things harder for Hurricane Harvey victims

flood city texas insurance law

As the very first steps for recovery begin, HB 1774, signed into law by Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) becomes effective. A Texas insurance law, signed by Governor Greg Abbott back in May, will become effective tomorrow. This, at a time when Hurricane Harvey victims are taking the very first steps toward understanding what they can do to recover. Houston, the fourth most populous city in the United States, may have years of recovery ahead. The Texas insurance law will be changing the way claims lawsuits are handled when they…

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