California wine country flooding leaves thousands of homes and businesses damaged

California wine country flooding - Vineyard at Sunset

The floodwaters have turned two communities in Northern California into temporary islands. California wine country flooding is the worst the region has seen since 1995 when the Napa river reached record peak levels. The rain in Northern California has turned two wine country communities into temporary islands. At the moment, they can be reached only by boat. Thousands of homes and businesses are flooded as rivers across the region crest their banks. The Russian River crested at over 46 feet last week and the water did not recede until later…

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Climate change impact greater than insurance industry’s capacity to offset financial risk

Climate change impact - World in water

The affects of a warming planet will prove to be too expensive for coverage alone to keep up, say analysts. The financial risks associated with the climate change impact may become greater than what the insurance industry can cover, according to a new report. Analysts say that the financial risks are growing, from investing into coal-powered plants to the climbing premiums for flood insurance, the expenses are already rising and will continue to do so. That said, the difference that firms can make to control both the risks and the…

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Last November’s California wildfires caused $11.4 billion in insured damage

California Wildfires - Damage from Fire

Residents of the state have filed many thousands of insurance claims from the Camp Fire. Last year’s record-breaking California wildfires have now generated $11.4 billion in insurance claims. This has made the fires in that month, which ripped their way through Butte County and Southern California, some of the most expensive the state has ever experienced. The Camp Fire killed 86 people and essentially burned the town of Paradise right off the map. Three quarters of the losses from California wildfires in November 2018 were the result of the Camp…

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Allstate wildfire losses from November in California reached $685 million

Allstate Wildfire Losses - Fire in forest

The insurance company has announced its November 2018 catastrophe loss estimate including fires. Allstate wildfire losses were recently announced for the month of November 2018. The insurance company estimated its catastrophe losses to be $685 million, at 679 million pre-tax, or $541 million after tax. The Allstate catastrophe losses included another $6 million in unfavorable reserve reestimtates. Initially, the Allstate wildfire losses were estimated to have been $202 million pre-tax, or $160 million after-tax for the month of October 2018. That said, the ongoing fires brought the October and November…

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European insurance companies seek to reduce risks from CO2 and coal

European Insurance companies - Focus on Europe

The sector is creating its own plan in the name of climate change and cutting back on its risks. European insurance companies are boosting their investments in green energy at the same time that they’re letting go of certain carbon intensive businesses. This move is being made for the purpose of doing their part to cut back on risks associated with climate change. This move was announced at the same time that 200 countries meet in Poland to discuss climate initiatives. As a growing number of countries around the world…

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