A new service from ISO's LOCATION geographic information system is available to assist insurers in managing their exposure to natural catastrophes, which will help them make profitable underwriting decisions. Developed by AIR Worldwide Corporation (AIR), ISO's catastrophe-modeling subsidiary, Natural Catastrophe Service from LOCATION offers risk profiles on every address in the continental U.S. Insurers access the information online via ISO Passport--ISO's electronic delivery system that allows insurers to connect to underwriting tools from ISO and other information providers through a single interface.

Based on detailed data from AIR, the catastrophe service supplies address-specific risk information for hurricanes, earthquakes, and severe thunderstorms. It also provides the long-term average annual loss as well as 100-year and 250-year losses for a typical property at a specific location for each peril. The risk of a given address can be compared with that of other addresses in the same county and state.

The service contains information pertinent to earthquake peril, such as soil type, distance to nearest significant fault, and landslide and liquefaction potential. Data relevant to hurricanes addresses storm surge potential, elevation, and terrain. Tornado, hailstorm, and straight-line windstorm frequencies also are included.