Increasingly, complex software programs for catastrophe (CAT) modeling are serving as a benchmark for insurers to determine risk across various geographical areas of the United States. While not all property and casualty insurers initially rushed to adopt this approach, dramatic rises in loss estimates and other challenges led to catastrophe modeling’s rapid, widespread adoption. As a result, underwriters have been seeking more precise and accurate catastrophe modeling data.
Why is CAT Modeling Important?
How much a CAT model impacts a particular property portfolio depends on the carrier’s business consolidation and major areas of risk. The amount of risk each property faces can vary, depending on its geographical location, occupancy type, and the estimated severity of a potential catastrophe. Because in recent years, properties have been experiencing more powerful hurricanes more regularly, new stronger inland wind criteria, greater vulnerability to wind, and higher levels of storm surge, insurance carriers have been requesting the additional data collection.
Mitigate the Risk
To meet the growing demands of catastrophe modeling data collection and help mitigate risk, start here:
- Identify what your organizations’ needs are and begin to plan. If you aren’t sure, seek the help of an expert.
- Ask your insurance broker what their requirements are for collecting catastrophe modeling data
- Contact a professional appraisal firm and ask what their standard appraisal service includes and how they can meet your needs most efficiently
- Research the software solutions available to help consolidate multiple spreadsheets and large amounts of data into a single, reliable, comprehensive database. Software can help eliminate version control issues and keep data accessible and safe, right when you need it
- Hire a professional appraisal firm to collect any and all necessary data to comply with the additional CAT modeling requirements and ensure you are properly valued and rated
Let Centurisk Help
As CAT modeling software programs continue to help predict risk, an effective appraisal firm will offer services and solutions to keep up with the demands. At Centurisk, we’ve spent countless hours researching the catastrophe modeling programs used throughout the insurance industry. We train our staff to accurately collect the property data needed for each unique system and understand that any software model is only as good as the data collected.
For more information on a related type of modeling data worth tracking — convective storm modeling data — check out this helpful blog post.
But if you want to learn how Centurisk can help you gather the CAT data you need for greater insurance accuracy and potentially better rates— contact us today.