The 2021 wildfire season is predicted to be the fifth consecutive year in a pattern of severe fire seasons. Wildfire threats emerged early this year as 98% percent of land in the Western states continues to experience drought conditions compounded by early summer heatwaves.

Anytime an area is hit with a catastrophic event, like a hurricane or wildfire, the cost of labor and building materials temporarily rises due to increased demand as communities and businesses rebuild. 2020 brought a total of 63 catastrophic events including Midwestern tornadoes, Western wildfires, and Southeastern hurricanes on top of the COVID-19 pandemic - a catastrophic event unlike any in recent history.

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in decreased energy production and demand in 2020. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), it will likely take years for the U.S. to return to 2019 levels of consumption. While it’s anticipated that the United States will continue to export more energy than it imports through 2050, recovery will take time and the energy insurance market is feeling the pinch (source 1).

As the aviation industry rebounds from a massive pandemic-induced downturn, aviation insurance rates are rising as insurers seek to address prior-year losses and the industry’s evolving risks. Interest in private jet purchases and rentals have surged as more business fliers and individuals avoid public carriers for health reasons. The pandemic has also provided an extra boost to the rapidly growing unmanned aerial vehicle industry since camera-equipped drones can perform many tasks at lower risk and without personal contact.

Business Interruption (BI) claims are complicated even in the best-case scenario, often requiring assistance from outside experts to resolve. Policyholders can benefit from a proactive approach that includes completing an accurate BI Worksheet and involving appropriate specialists to ensure a reasonable claim outcome.