I have been watching and reading the news and it looks like this Texas winter storm is a major event. One news article reported that the Insurance Council of Texas reported that this event will be "Largest Insurance Claim Event In History". In another article it reported USAA is reporting more than 10,000 claims.
Polar sea ice coverage was below average for the month
Source: NOAA 2/12/21 Article
True to trend, Mother Earth kicked off 2021 with a balmy January that ranked 7th-warmest in the temperature record, according to scientists with NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information.
Warmth took its toll on sea ice as well, with below-average ice coverage observed at both ends of the planet.
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NFIP Training Bulletin
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) continues to monitor the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as it relates to COVID-19. To mitigate the spread of COVID-19, the CDC is encouraging organizations to promote social distancing, hold meetings via videoconferencing, reduce non-essential travel, and adjust or postpone events and gatherings.
In light of this situation, all 2021 NFIP Adjuster Claims Presentations will be held via webinar.
Alabama Department of Insurance (ALDOI)
The Alabama Department of Insurance (ALDOI) released results of a survey taken to understand the private flood insurance market in the state. The ALDOI commissioned Milliman, Inc. (Milliman), a premier global consulting and actuarial firm, to survey flood insurance industry stakeholders and understand their concerns and perspectives around writing private flood insurance in Alabama, and ways to overcome regulatory, technical, and consumer-focused challenges.
Source: SC DOI Press Release
From the September 30, 2020 Press Release
"Columbia, S.C. – Monday, Governor Henry McMaster signed the South Carolina Private Flood Insurance Act into law (S. 882). This Act aims to foster innovative flood insurance coverage in South Carolina, allowing insurers the ability to test products in the market and offer consumers greater choice for flood insurance coverage. "
10/8/2020 Louisiana DOI Press Release
Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon is reminding policyholders affected by Hurricane Laura and who may be affected by Hurricane Delta that the single season named-storm/hurricane deductible law prohibits a homeowner from paying more than one named-storm/hurricane deductible in the same hurricane season.
California’s Commissioner 10-2-2020 Press Release
From the Press Release.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — In response to California’s latest destructive fires, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara is requesting that insurance companies help wildfire survivors who are overwhelmed with the task of navigating the claims process by providing up to 100 percent of personal property coverage limits without a detailed inventory to those who suffered a total loss of their home, similar to previous identical requests in past years.
Source: FEMA - Updated 10/6
The information below is from the FEMA Daily Ops Briefing issued 10/06 @ 8:30 am
Situation: : Of the over 7 million acres burned, the National Watch Center continues to track 11 active fires that have burned nearly 2 million acres from the West Coast to the Rocky Mountains. Mandatory evacuations continue throughout the impacted regions. No reported unmet needs.
From the CatAdjuster.org Blog Archive
Field Experiences of a Female Catastrophe Adjuster.
by Randi Meyer
It was obvious that she was dead. Once you've seen a dead person, there's no doubt in your mind the next time you stumble upon Death's handiwork. And here I was, in a back bedroom of an old house in San Francisco, with two strangers, and a dead woman lying on the bed.
I'm a catastrophe adjuster, the only woman on a team of ten sent into San Francisco after high winds and heavy rain caused more property damage than the local adjusters could handle quickly. Only about 10% of the national pool of catastrophe adjusters, or "cat adjusters," as we're called, are women. Of that 10%, only approximately 3% work without a...
When going to a storm there are a lot of things that are preached over and over every time by both the adjusting company and the carrier. However, I think the number one issue they still emphasize is insured contact.
From the Blog Archive
From the CatAdjuster.org Article Archive.
A few months ago, I had a storm that I cannot wait to forget! It seemed that nothing was going right!
The dispatching of assignments was the worse that I had ever had before. I had claims 300 miles to the North, 125 miles to the South, and 60 miles to the East. West was ocean, so I lucked out there! Fortunately, we were able to handle some smaller claims by phone, and/or reassign only the farthest away through a very small window of time. After that, you owned them, no matter where they were located!
(Recovered Post)
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced the Department of Financial Services’ emergency adjuster license system has been activated to support homeowners’ and businesses’ efforts to get back on their feet following the impacts of Hurricane Sally in the Florida Panhandle.
From the Monday, September 21, 2020 Press Release
California Department of Insurance
News: 2020 Press Release
For Release: September 3, 2020
Media Calls Only: 916-492-3566
Email Inquiries: cdipress@insurance.ca.gov
Commissioner Lara urges insurance companies to cover reimbursement costs for those displaced during wildfires
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — To assist Californians displaced by the current and recent wildfires throughout the state, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara issued a Notice to all California property and casualty insurance companies urging them to cover Additional Living Expenses (ALE) for those policyholders who remain under mandatory evacuation or whose homes are otherwise inaccessible or uninhabitable due to the wildfires.
"Colorado State University hurricane researchers have increased their forecast and now predict an extremely active Atlantic hurricane season in 2020, citing very warm sea surface temperatures and very low wind shear in the tropical Atlantic as primary factors. Tropical Atlantic sea surface temperatures averaged over the past month are at their fourth-highest levels since 1982, trailing only the very active Atlantic hurricane seasons of 2005, 2010 and 2017. Warmer-than-normal sea surface temperatures provide more fuel for tropical cyclone formation and intensification. They are also associated with a more unstable atmosphere as well as moister air, both of which favor organized thunderstorm activity that is necessary for...
Yellow alert for economic losses. Some damage is possible and the impact should be relatively localized. Estimated economic losses are less than 1% of GDP of the United States. Past events with this alert level have required a local or regional level response.
August 6, 2020 - Atmospheric and oceanic conditions are primed to fuel storm development in the Atlantic, leading to what could be an “extremely active” season, according to forecasters with NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, a division of the National Weather Service. Today, the agency released its annual August update to the Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook, initially issued in May.
PAGER - GREEN ShakeMap - VII DYFI? - VIII Time2020-07-22 06:12:44 UTC2020-07-22 06:12:44 UTC at epicenterLocation55.030°N 158.522°WDepth28.00 km (17.40 mi)
by Steve Ebner first posted 12/7/2004
A Blog post from the archive.
It occurred to me that this was just another perk of being a catadjuster. I have lived in many places, been a gypsy most of my life. When I think back, my life comes back to me in bits and pieces, as a bit of what happened in this place and a bit of what happened in that.
Source: NOAA
From the NOAA Forecast;
"May 21, 2020An above-normal 2020 Atlantic hurricane season is expected, according to forecasters with NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, a division of the National Weather Service. The outlook predicts a 60% chance of an above-normal season, a 30% chance of a near-normal season and only a 10% chance of a below-normal season. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30.
"Fishers, IN – March 10, 2020 – Worley Claims Services LLC, a recognized leader in providing insurance claims services in North America, announced the launch of a new company brand and name to Alacrity Solutions Group effective immediately. The change reflects the company’s broader commitment and its expertise in providing innovative claims management services in the property, auto and casualty claim marketplace."
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From the Press Release
...
"Commissioner Lara called on the insurance industry to assist small businesses facing layoffs and lost income due to business closures and government actions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Insurance company responses to the data call are due by April 9, 2020, and will help the Department understand the number and scope of commercial business interruption type coverages in effect and the approximate number of policies that exclude viruses such as COVID-19. This data will help inform state policymakers on solutions to protect businesses.
Source:Department of Atmospheric Science Colorado State University
We anticipate that the 2020 Atlantic basin hurricane season will have above-normal activity. Current warm neutral ENSO conditions appear likely to transition to cool neutral ENSO or potentially even weak La Niña conditions by this summer/fall. Sea surface temperatures averaged across the tropical Atlantic are somewhat above normal. Our Atlantic Multi-decadal Oscillation index is below its long-term average; however, most of the tropical Atlantic is warmer than normal. We anticipate an above-average probability for major hurricanes making landfall along the continental United States coastline and in the Caribbean. As is the case with all hurricane seasons, coastal residents are reminded that it only takes one...
Re: COVID-19: Suspension of certain licensing requirements and fees
The below is from the bulletin.
March 24, 2020
To: All TDI-regulated carriers, agents, adjusters, and licensees
Re: COVID-19: Suspension of certain licensing requirements and fees
On March 13, 2020, Governor Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Governor authorized the use of all available state and local government resources necessary to cope with the disaster.
TDI expects carriers to work with their policyholders as they prepare for and respond to the spread of COVID-19. Carriers should look to the Governor’s ongoing declarations related to COVID-19 for guidance on how long to extend relief.
PAGER - GREEN ShakeMap - VI DYFI? - VI Time2020-03-18 22:08:20 UTC2020-03-18 14:08:20 -08:00 at epicenterLocation40.348°N 124.456°WDepth28.61 km (17.78 mi)
PAGER - YELLOW ShakeMap - VIII DYFI? - VITime2020-03-18 13:09:31 UTC2020-03-18 06:09:31 -07:00 at epicenterLocation40.751°N 112.078°WDepth11.70 km (7.27 mi)
All new and renewal TWIA policies with an effective date on or after January 1, 2020 will include updated coverages, terms, and conditions. Many of the changes are a result of recent revisions to the Texas Insurance Code by the Texas Legislature.
"The above is from the TWIA website"
On December 4, 2019, the USCG received a report of a pipeline spill due to equipment failure in Lake Pelto. USCG pollution responders are on site assessing the situation. NRC# 1265477.
Updated 12/7/19
The below is from the Port Neches Response website. Updated: 12/7/19
News Release # 19
Claims activities update: Approximately 200 claims representatives, including call center operators, field claim adjusters and claims processors, remain in the area.
Residents seeking walk-in appointments at Claims Processing Centers are experiencing long wait times. Claims personnel are working to increase staffing at the processing centers to assist more people. Don’t wait in line: call (866) 601-5880 to make an appointment.
Source: National Hurricane Center
NHC is the source of the info below
Monthly Tropical Weather Summary
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL
800 AM EDT Fri Nov 1 2019
For the North Atlantic...Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico:
Tropical cyclone activity during October was slightly above normal for the Atlantic basin. Five named storms formed during the month and one of them became a hurricane. Another hurricane, Lorenzo, carried over from the month of September. One tropical depression also formed and failed to strengthen. Based on a 30-year climatology (1981-2010), two named storms typically form in the basin in October, with one of them becoming a hurricane. A major hurricane forms in the basin in October about every third year.
Department of Atmospheric Science Colorado State University
"We expect that the next two weeks will be characterized by above-normal amounts of hurricane activity. "
NOAA increases chance for above-normal hurricane season
"August 8, 2019 NOAA forecasters monitoring oceanic and atmospheric patterns say conditions are now more favorable for above-normal hurricane activity since El Nino has now ended. Two named storms have formed so far this year and the peak months of the hurricane season, August through October, are now underway."
Source: Colorado State University
"We continue to predict a near-normal 2019 Atlantic hurricane season. The forecast number of hurricanes has increased slightly to account for short-lived Hurricane Barry which formed in July. Sea surface temperatures in the tropical Atlantic remain near average. While the odds of a weak El Niño persisting through August-October have decreased, vertical wind shear in the Caribbean remains relatively high. The probability for major hurricanes making landfall along the United States coastline and in the Caribbean remains near its long-term average. As is the case with all hurricane seasons, coastal residents are reminded that it only takes one hurricane making landfall to make it an active season for them. They should prepare the...
Source: USGS
M 7.1 - 17km NNE of Ridgecrest, CA
2019-07-06 03:19:52 (UTC)35.766°N 117.605°W17.0 km depth
Issued: 23 May 2019
2019 Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook: Summary
a. Predicted Activity
NOAA's outlook for the 2019 Atlantic Hurricane Season indicates that a near-normal season has the highest chance of occurring (40%), followed by equal chances (30%) of an above-normal season and a below-normal season. See NOAA definitions of above-, near-, and below-normal seasons. The Atlantic hurricane region includes the North Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico
California Senate Bill 240
SB 240, as amended, Dodd. Insurance Adjuster Act.
Existing law creates the Department of Insurance, headed by the Insurance Commissioner, and prescribes the department’s powers and duties. Existing law, the Insurance Adjuster Act, sets forth various requirements with respect to operation as an insurance adjuster in this state and prohibits a person from engaging in a business regulated by the act, or acting or assuming to act as, or representing themselves to be, an insurance adjuster unless the person is licensed under the act. Existing law also prohibits a person from falsely representing that the person is employed by a licensee. Existing law exempts a person from the requirements of the Insurance Adjuster Act if the person...
Source: NOAA
"The so-called bomb cyclone that brought heavy snow, blizzard conditions and major flooding to the Midwest in March landed with a resounding meteorological “ka-boom!” and became one of two billion-dollar weather and climate disasters this year.
The other was a severe storm that struck the Northeast, Southeast and Ohio Valley in late February."
The above is from the NOAA article, follow the Read More link for the article.
Source: Department of Atmospheric Science Colorado State University
"We anticipate that the 2019 Atlantic basin hurricane season will have slightly below normal activity. The current weak El Niño event appears likely to persist and perhaps even strengthen this summer/fall. Sea surface temperatures averaged across the tropical Atlantic are slightly below normal, and the far North Atlantic is anomalously cool. Our Atlantic Multi-decadal Oscillation index is below its long-term average. We anticipate a slightly below-average probability for major hurricanes making landfall along the continental United States coastline and in the Caribbean. As is the case with all hurricane seasons, coastal residents are reminded that it only takes one hurricane making landfall to make it an active season for them....
Source: CanadianUnderwriter.ca
From the article;
"Among the many lessons for insurers coming out of Fort McMurray, one may be in how to handle claims caused by wildfires – a peril that insurers have predicted for some time will only get worse."
Source: AccuWeather
...
"After an active Atlantic hurricane season in 2018, AccuWeather forecasters are predicting 2019 to result in a near- to slightly above-normal season with 12 to 14 storms.
Of those storms, five to seven are forecast to become hurricanes and two to four are forecast to become major hurricanes."
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Photo from the CADO Gallery