Catastrophe & Restoration

A government watchdog agency report has hit the Federal Emergency Management Agency for lax oversight of the program that has private insurers write policies for the National Flood Insurance Program.

The Insurance Information Institute warns that many state-run property insurance plans are on "shaky ground." Exacerbating the problem are the credit crunch and prolonged economic downturn.

Green building practices have grown annually, adding complexity to the analysis of construction projects, building systems, and building performance expectations.

Most research efforts that test the effects of moisture exposure on wood building products evaluate the effects of water vapor -- in other words, the relative humidity (RH) -- rather than exposure to free water.

Property and casualty claim data indicate that the insurance industry spends billions of dollars each year removing fallen trees and shrubs (trees) from insured structures and properties.

Golf ball-sized hail -- along with strong winds -- recently caused damages across the Denver area that totaled $350 million in insured losses.

Insurers must prepare for an expected increase in catastrophic losses arising from climate change. Key strategies will incorporate prudent risk selection, accurate claim reserving, and technology adoption.

Has the economy finally affected everybody -- and everything? Did Mother Nature take a mandated furlough in June and July, content to work on her tan while sipping mojitos on the beaches of Miami?