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. "
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...
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.
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.
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...
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: 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."
...
Photo from the CADO Gallery
Updated: 3/24/19
The North Carolina Joint Underwriting Association (NCJUA), also known as the FAIR (Fair Access to Insurance Requirements) Plan, is a tax exempt association of insurance companies licensed to write and engage in writing property insurance coverage in North Carolina. The Association was created by law to act as a market of last resort to provide adequate basic property insurance to property owners having insurable property in North Carolina.
The above is a quote from their site.
Source: California Department of Insurance
The California Department of Insurance has been informed by the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CAL-OES) that, due to the recent wildfires, there is a shortage of available lodging in the disaster areas. CAL-OES is requesting that insurance companies, adjusters, and other insurance personnel find lodging outside of the disaster areas.
Source: CoreLogic Press Release
Source: Florida Office of Insurance Regulation
The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation is reporting a total of 78,688 claims as of October 18, 2018 with Total Estimated Insured Losses at $835,868,692. See the report for additional details.
Source: Colorado Springs Gazette
USAA received 8,000 claims for damage to homes and vehicles Tuesday, twice as many as from the June 13 hailstorm that hit Fountain, the insurance and financial services giant reported. Other top insurers, including State Farm, Farmers and Progressive, didn’t have claims numbers or didn’t return calls.
Source: Time Inc
Over the years, virtual reality technology has improved so much that insurance companies are starting to experiment with VR headsets like Facebook’s “fb” Oculus Rift.
WYO Bulletin w-17065
On October 13, 2017, the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) updated the NFIP Adjuster Claims Manual by adding an addendum providing additional guidance on special adjustment issues surrounding perimeter wall sheathing. The addendum expands upon and replaces existing guidance found at Paragraph P of Section VIII of the NFIP Adjuster Claims Manual.
by Canadian Underwriter
Severe weather last year exacted a heavy toll in terms of insured losses, with the $4.9 billion hit dwarfing the previous annual record of $3.2 billion in 2013, Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) reports.
Stormy Weather Ahead Road Sign Flooding in southern Alberta and the Greater Toronto Area contributed greatly to 2013’s then-record insurable damage, while 2016 was highlighted by the massive wildfires in and around Fort McMurray.
The latest estimate from Catastrophe Indices and Quantification (CatIQ) indicates insured losses related to the wildfire amount to just shy of $3.6 billion.
This is more than twice the amount of the previous costliest natural disaster on record, IBC noted in a statement Friday.
(photo from the...
Source: Sun Sentinel
State-run Citizens Property Insurance Corp. is hiring an outside vendor to scrutinize water-damage repair estimates from contractors, and to directly negotiate lower invoices with those contractors in exchange for a cut of the savings.
The company's board of governors on Tuesday agreed to a five-year, $1.8 million contract with Fort Myers-based Lynx Services LLC, a third-party claims management firm.
The goal, according to a Citizens document, "is to identify inflated or excessive charges on invoices from contractors that have performed water damage restorations for Citizens' policyholders and to contest or adjust invoices so it comports with industry standards."
Crawford 7/6/16 Press Release
SYDNEY (6 July, 2016) – Crawford & Company® has launched Crawford® Drone, designed to significantly improve catastrophe and operational claims management by providing real-time detail.
Darren Trot, Crawford’s national business development manager, said, “Drone technology ideally complements traditional claims assessment practices and gives us access to areas that were previously inaccessible or hazardous.”
Source: ICAT Website
Partnership will allow ICAT to write additional per-risk cat capacity in the U.S. E&S market
Broomfield, CO: ICAT has teamed up with Neon, the specialist Lloyd’s insurer, to provide an additional $10 million of per-risk capacity to catastrophe-exposed commercial properties in the United States. The partnership expands ICAT’s per-risk catastrophe capacity up to $150 million.
ICAT’s partnership with Neon, along with ICAT’s comprehensive coverage, best-in-class service, industry-leading expertise and innovative product solutions, demonstrates ICAT’s commitment to continual service and product enhancements for their agents, brokers and insureds.
NFIP Policy Counts for the named counties
President Declares Major Disaster for West Virginia
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the State of West Virginia to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides beginning on June 22, 2016, and continuing.
The President's action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in of Greenbrier, Kanawha, and Nicholas counties. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business...
The NFIP offers free online courses in basic and advanced flood insurance topics through the FEMA Emergency Management Institute. NFIP Training courses are free and open to anyone. Click on a link below to begin your self study course.
(note: we first posted this in December of 2015, but it was deleted in error)
ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Engle Martin & Associates, a diversified insurance services provider, completed its acquisition of a majority share of Eberl’s Claim Service, Inc. and its related companies on September 1, 2015. Eberl provides a full suite of complementary daily and catastrophe loss adjusting and claims-related services, with a focus on residential and automobile insurance claims. Eberl will continue to run independently within the Engle Martin family of brands via its own stand-alone management team under the name Eberl Claims Service, LLC. The addition of Eberl, Engle Martin’s fourth acquisition in less than two years, further solidifies Engle Martin’s position as a leading insurance services platform...
Source: Paul J. Gough, Pittsburgh Business Times
"The next time you get a visit from an insurance adjuster, he or she might be wearing a futuristic headset to help process your claim. Pittsburgh policyholders were part of a pilot program from Erie Insurance (NASDAQ:ERIE) to test the use of off-the-shelf Google Glass as a way to make insurance adjusters’ working lives easier and more efficient. The idea, developed by three Erie Insurance employees, was vetted by the board of directors following a company wide contest. This is the first time Erie’s program has been disclosed beyond the company."
(CNN)So much rain has fallen this May on flood-ravaged Texas that it could cover the entire state with 8 inches of water, meteorologists say.
And it ain't over yet.
Every drop of rain these days is a drop too many in much of Texas, where 22 people have died and President Barack Obama has declared a major disaster.