Catastrophe & Restoration

CoreLogic recently examined the exposure of single residential structures (homes) to storm surge within 10 predefined geographic areas in the U.S. See which cities made the list and what exposure levels they face if a Category 5 hurricane makes a direct hit.

Pembroke, Bermuda-based ParnerRe Ltd. has raised its expected losses from the March 11 Japan earthquake and tsunami to $730 million.

Catastrophe-risk modeler EQECAT says the recent tornado outbreak is estimated to have caused $2 billion to $5 billion in insured losses.

Berkshire Hathaway saw its 2011 first-quarter net income drop more than 58 percent to $1.5 billion after catastrophes in the quarter caused estimated losses of nearly $1.7 billion.

To raise awareness of the environmental impact of replacing windshields, HSG and Esurance will plant 8,000 trees.

I've written a great deal about how technology can make a difference in how an insurance carrier reacts to a catastrophe, but all the tools in the world are meaningless if a carrier doesn't offer the personal touch that people need when they are in the midst of a tragedy.