The Calm Before the Storm: Planning for Catastrophic Weather Events
Insurance has always been a critical backdrop in risk analysis. This is because when buying insurance, “an insured usually does not seek to realize a commercial advantage but, instead, seeks protection and security from...more
As global threats evolve, so does the question of what constitutes a ‘war’ risk under a standard property insurance policy, and how this might impact coverage. Historically, a war was a physical conflict between two or...more
Severe Convective Storms (“SCS”) are one of the most common and most damaging natural catastrophes in the United States. SCSs are intense atmospheric disturbances that can cause powerful winds, large hail, heavy rainfall, and...more
Catastrophic events (CAT) include hurricanes, floods, landslides, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tornados, and wildfires (See Figures 1-4 below). “CAT season” is the phrase experts commonly use to describe the...more
Escalating Impacts of Catastrophic Weather - Large insurance losses are increasingly being caused by hazardous weather events such as hurricanes, floods, lightning strikes, high winds, large hail, and wildfires....more
Over the past decade, as commercial property insurance rates softened, so too have terms and conditions. In some instances, attempts to broaden coverage have also had the effect of diluting the clarity and consistency of...more
IN RESPONSE TO RECORD-BREAKING FIRE LOSSES IN 2017, THE CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR SIGNED THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER ACT OF 2019 INTO LAW ON OCTOBER 3, 2019, WHICH NOW TAKES IMMEDIATE EFFECT TO GOVERN THE USE OF OUT-OF-STATE ADJUSTERS...more
Insurers and policyholders should heed the critical insurance issues that arise in the aftermath of natural disasters....more
The United States experiences a large number of hail events, but hail can occur anywhere in the world – especially in areas near mountainous terrain. Western China and northern India experience hail quite frequently, as do...more
South Carolina was recently pummeled by a devastating storm that Governor Haley described as happening “once in a thousand years.” Compounding the resultant flooding, many dam breaks exacerbated the catastrophic losses South...more
The recent Tianjin port explosion, like the 2011 Japanese earthquake and Thai floods, will lead to massive supply chain disruption. The impacted area included a high concentration of multinational and technology companies....more
Suppose you are counsel for a policyholder impacted by a damaging storm, hurricane or other catastrophic event. Your client reports that it sustained property damage and a significant business interruption loss. You are asked...more