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Flooding continues to be one of the most significant risks property owners face. According to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), 90% of all U.S. natural disasters involve flooding (source 1). Many people assume that only those who live in coastal areas or near bodies of water are vulnerable to flooding, but that’s not actually the case. In fact, 98% of counties in the United States have been impacted by flooding at some point (source 2).

While the summer sun is shining, only remnants of California’s three-year drought remain after a winter of massive storms. As of early April, the U.S. Drought Monitor reported that areas of drought covered less than 9% of the Golden State, a sharp fall from more than 99% as of October 1, 2022. Into May, the state remained roughly 92% drought-free after months of rain and snow. California’s winter was marked by multiple atmospheric rivers that dumped vast amounts of rain and blanketed mountains with an extraordinary level of snowpack. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), there is a 50% - 60% chance weather in central and Northern California will be wetter than usual.

Flooding continues to be the most expensive and the most common natural disaster in the United States, resulting in billions in economic losses every year. According to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), 90% percent of all U.S. natural disasters involve flooding.

The term catastrophe became a part of everyday life this year as the global coronavirus pandemic spread across the country. With spring also came the "normal" catastrophes, including a spate of deadly thunderstorms and tornados. This was followed by an early start to a hurricane season that kept setting records through the summer, and a disastrous wildfire season for which the full scope of damages will not be known for some time.

Flooding, the most common natural disaster in the U.S., can have huge consequences for homeowners, businesses, and communities. With the emergence of climate change and increase in severe weather, flooding is impacting ever widening areas, but at least 85% of homeowners still lack flood insurance. Flood insurance empowers families and communities to recover and thrive in the wake of disaster.

The severe hurricanes and record-breaking wildfires that have caused widespread damage in recent years have heightened concerns that a changing global climate may be leading to more frequent and extreme natural catastrophes. Among the possible effects of climate change, stronger and slower-moving hurricanes may bring more devastating winds, higher storm surge and greater inland flooding; hotter temperatures can dry out vegetation and raise the risk of wildfires, particularly as people move into formerly wild areas. Those changes may lead to greater risks for property owners and higher-than-expected claims for insurers.

The property market continues to change amid decreased capacity and increased caution among carriers. There is little capacity left among many Lloyds syndicates, and domestic markets are more selective overall—particularly on tougher classes of business. While the first quarter of 2020 may bring some relief on capacity, insureds should expect increased rates, higher deductibles and greater scrutiny from underwriters. Valuations are particularly important along with better data on construction, especially for roofs. In this transitioning market, experienced brokers show their worth in finding the best solutions for clients.

Insurisk is CRC Group’s exclusive products facility has recently launched CAT+, an A rated property capacity for middle market business that is primarily CAT-exposed. CAT+ can accommodate costal exposure risks from Texas all the way to the Carolinas.

Buyers have grown used to price cuts in the property market in recent years, but insurers are now taking a harder stance. Insurers are seeking additional premium wherever possible and applying stricter underwriting, particularly to property valuations. Rate increases seem to be gaining traction as leading markets pare back on unprofitable lines. Still, those viewed as good risks can expect to do better than more challenging exposures.

The Catastrophe Risk Assessment Report is a proprietary tool developed by CRC Group’s Property experts to help retailers win with their clients. Exclusive to CRC Group, this report helps deliver an attractive and detailed presentation providing quality mapping and analytics with comprehensive location details and analysis to your insureds. It includes a summary of an account’s exposures aggregated a number of ways, including by CAT zones, State, flood zone, and construction type.

Hurricanes dominated the headlines last year, but away from the coast, massive losses from thunderstorms, tornadoes, and wildfires continue to roil the property markets. Insureds that have become used to price cuts on non-coastal, non-cat driven business, now face possible rate increases and likely larger deductibles.
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Our special report "Away From the Coast - Rain, Wind and Fire Roil Property," provides valuable information about market conditions away from the coast and shows why you should avoid neglecting these non-coastal accounts.
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And as always, as hurricane season gets underway and is forecasted to be normal or above-normal, the experts at CRC Group are here and ready to help.

Winds of change are driving the property market in a new direction. Nature had been kind
for more than a decade, sparing the U.S. from major hurricanes and earthquakes. At the
same time, record-low interest rates lured tens of billions of dollars in alternative capital
into insurance markets offering returns well above the rock-bottom rates available on more
standard investments. The combination of new capital and relative calm combined to push
insurance rates lower year after year — until now.