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Four key strategies for the changing reality of natural disasters

2023 was a historic year with over 28 separate weather and climate disasters causing at least $1 billion in damages. The events ranged from winter freezes to wildfires, droughts to floods, tornadoes to tropical cyclones, and heat waves to hailstorms. Although current trends continue to produce significant weather events, it is surprising that a fair number of them occurred in areas that were not previously vulnerable. Take for example, the 4.8 earthquake in New Jersey. While it didn’t cause significant damage, it had been nearly 20 years since the state experienced such magnitude – a reminder that natural disasters no longer follow regional patterns. The reality is that every region is at risk. Climate change and shifting weather patterns have brought significant weather events to areas they never threatened before: Tornadoes in the east: Systems once centered in the plains are now migrating to states as far away as Wisconsin and Georgia. Winter storms in Texas: Deep freezes, the worst lasting weeks, are now near-annual occurrences. Wildfires in high-rainfall states: Look at Hawaii’s unprecedented event in 2023. Flooding in the southwest: Most recently, normally arid areas of Arizona were deluged after record snowfalls in the Rockies resulted in unmanageable runoff. Wind has become a critical factor in the majority of natural disasters s unrivaled speeds and changing patterns turn small fires into uncontainable events and broaden the strength as well as the reach of hurricanes. Since all signs suggest this pattern will continue, we believe that the best path forward is for all clients, wherever they live, to be proactive in their natural disaster risk management planning. More so for types of damage, they might not historically think to expect. Here are four key trends we’ve identified as crucial for today’s natural disaster risk management: 1. Have a maintenance plan If your local area has not been impacted by weather-related events in some time, it’s easy to let related maintenance fall by the wayside. However, as damage-causing events are more common than ever, it’s important to stay vigilant. This includes: Safeguarding the exterior: Once the barrier to your house is broken, damage can increase exponentially. So, keep trees trimmed, clear brush and clean gutters, inspect the roof, siding, windows, and repair as well as caulk as needed. Inspecting the interior: Maintain furnaces and replace filters, replace rusted parts in water heaters, and install automatic shut-off devices on water lines. 2. Backup power is now essential Prepare for a potential loss of electricity with a diesel or propane generator. (Solar panels are not necessarily the best solution, because they can be ripped off and rendered useless by wind and convective storms.) Utilities now shut off power preemptively, especially when winds are strong, to decrease wildfire risk. At the same time, weather-event-induced outages last longer and reach further. Without power, your property quickly becomes even more susceptible to damage and loss: alarms don’t function, mold sprouts, and water lines freeze. 3. Establish an evacuation plan In emergent situations, the people who have already mapped out and practiced evacuation routes are often the safest. So, the best time to create those plans is right now before any threat is imminent. When developing this plan, be sure to document all the details and share this with your property managers and caretakers to ensure everyone is well-practiced and informed: Artwork: Get custom crates crafted to hold your most important pieces and purchase fireproof blankets for outdoor sculptures. Create a fireproof bunker to store the pieces if that’s feasible. If not, arrange for a location to store your collections so they are well protected. Cars: Construct a weather- and fire-proofed garage, or secure a safe place off the property, preferably an inland location. 4. Create an inventory list In the event of a loss, you will be asked to present an accurate inventory with any claim you make. You can hire a professional for the task or do it yourself; be sure to include photos as important pieces of visual documentation. At the very least, make a video as you go from room to room, capturing all your valuable pieces. Ensuring the security of your inventory is crucial. Storing in a hardware wallet, akin to a flash drive, provides robust protection, even in the face of natural disasters.  Given the impact of significant weather events felt across the country, taking a proactive role in your property’s risk mitigation not only minimizes the possibility of significant loss but helps make your property more insurable. With limited coverage options and carriers evaluating potential customers so closely, a well-maintained home with a detailed risk management plan could be a deciding factor. If you have any questions about preparing your home for natural disasters or other risk mitigation concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out. ...

What you should know about non-admitted insurance

In disaster-prone states, insurance carriers are faced with a basic math reality: They cannot net enough in premiums to justify underwriting large and looming risks, particularly in areas of concentrated wealth. At least not the way they had done previously, which is through state-governed channels that largely determined rates and offerings—a type of coverage termed “admitted.” In California, for example, state regulations prevent carriers from modifying contracts or excluding particular coverage—say, for wildfires—from policies. Nor are they allowed to raise rates in riskier zones without the review and approval from the state. This makes it virtually impossible for carriers to offer coverage that makes economic sense. The proliferation of sophisticated mapping and risk-rating software make the precarious situation even more evident to carriers.  As a result, the industry has become more innovative in serving clients in disaster-prone areas, including exploring coverage options that are not governed by the state—a type of coverage termed “non-admitted.” This allows for greater flexibility within the tight margins they face, a strategy we believe will only grow more common in the evolving risk landscape.  To that end, we want to educate you further about these options, and help you understand why non-admitted solutions may be beneficial for your portfolio, starting with a clear explanation of the terms:  Admitted carriers: States regulate the insurance industry, so carriers that are either based or do business in a specific state, must abide by that state’s rules to be “admitted.” These rules and regulations are largely designed to ensure that carriers: Are currently and will remain solvent, or able to pay out claims. Provide fair treatment to all consumers.  In many ways, this arrangement is beneficial to both the carrier and client alike: The state’s imprimatur lends the carrier legitimacy, and that legitimacy puts potential clients at ease. Furthering that sense of trust: the fact that the state will honor claims should the carrier become insolvent, or unable to pay claims. Non-admitted carriers: This describes carriers who opt out of the admission process described above so that they have the freedom to determine their own rates and coverage. These “non-admitted” carriers can still do business in a state; however, they do not earn that states seal of approval, and the state will not reimburse or assist their customers if the carrier is unable to make payouts on claims.  Such carriers offer an important benefit to some consumers: customization. Since they are not beholden to state-controlled standards, non-admitted carriers can more readily offer useful policies to clients whose loss history or location otherwise makes them a coverage risk. For example, consider a client who has had three water losses in as many years and is currently unable to obtain a policy with an admitted carrier. A non-admitted carrier can issue a policy with a high water-loss deductible, offering the client some level of protection while also adhering to the carrier’s business goals and financial health.  To be very clear, non-admitted status is not an indication that a carrier will not be able to pay out claims from losses. In fact, many non-admitted carriers have been previously validated by well-respected private auditing agencies such as A.M. Best. With a little research, consumers and brokers can definitively verify the standing of non-admitted firms. What this means for you In this challenging market, where our goal is to provide you the best possible protection, we maintain relationships with both admitted and non-admitted insurance providers. Of course, we are sensitive to the concern some clients may have about non-admitted coverage. Rest assured, we are diligent in our selection of partners. It is also helpful to keep in mind that, in the end, non-admitted insurance providers are just as incentivized to satisfy clients as admitted ones are. We want you to be able to rely on us to find the best possible coverage options for you and believe that the agility embedded in non-admitted policies makes them a valuable option for many clients. If your account executive suggests a non-admitted policy, know that they will explain why it is the right option and why you can be comfortable trusting it. ...

Insurance market insights from Alliant Private Client leaders

The insurance market continues to evolve, making it a fitting time to address the challenges our clients may be facing. Over the years, we have found knowledge is the best way to help clients navigate uncertainty. As such, two of our senior leadership team members have come together to share their perspectives and insights on the current state of the market and what the future may bring. Challenges in the current market What worries you the most right now? Cindy Zobian, EVP, Managing Director: While the challenging market was once contained to homeowner’s insurance, auto insurance and liability, rates are now also affected. We know this has all been very difficult for our clients. It’s understandably frustrating to see rates rise and hear about carriers leaving states. Mostly, I am always thinking about ways we can guide our clients through this market as seamlessly as possible. Alliant’s response to the market challenges So, how is Alliant meeting the moment? CZ: We’ve gotten more creative, taking an even more holistic view of our insurance programs. We’re helping clients use deductibles and co-insurance to offset the hesitance in the market; high deductibles are more attractive to insurance carriers. We’re also getting multiple carriers to share the risk, minimizing the burden of any individual carrier. The role of self-insurance There’s more talk about self-insurance these days. What do you think about this option? Mark Recht, SVP:  Some clients are inquiring about this option, in which they will take on the financial risk of a possible loss instead of purchasing insurance from a carrier. We are always happy to discuss this as an approach as part of the broader risk management strategy and sometimes it is the right choice. However, ultimately most people choose to have some insurance protection because it can be difficult to reenter the insurance market once you’ve opted out. CZ: Yes, we are always going to walk clients through the good and the bad of self-insurance; in the end, we want them to be able to make the decision that is best for them. The future of the insurance market Do you see any bright spots in today’s market? CZ: We know that insurance is not the most exciting topic however, the market conditions are providing us the opportunity to have more frequent and substantive conversations with clients to develop customized programs that meet their unique needs. Clients want to understand their insurance program better, so they are better equipped to make strategic choices. And that’s a win for everyone because it leads to better overall risk management. MR: We continue to collaborate with wealth advisors and other professionals to discuss risk management because they want to ensure that their clients have risk management programs that best meet their lifestyle and unique set of needs. Understanding the complexities of the insurance market Which aspect of the market is most difficult for clients to understand? MR: The market challenges are not just impacting specific regions anymore. The current situation started in 2018 in California, after the wildfires, and then impacted Florida because of the storms. This impact is now being felt nationally, if not globally. That said, clients outside of catastrophic-prone areas are now feeling the impact of these weather-related events like ice storms, flooding, and tornadoes. Conversely, those who reside in catastrophic-prone areas do have the additional concern of carriers leaving the state, in part because some state regulations don’t allow carriers to set mutually beneficial rates. Looking ahead: The future of the insurance market What does the future look like? MR: We’re optimistic. As more reinsurance capital becomes available and insurance carriers continue to seek innovative solutions, we are finding creative ways to tackle the challenges.                 CZ: Yes, we’re going to continue to learn and evolve. Almost every day, we find additional ways to offset these challenges. As Cindy and Mark shared, now more than ever, the proper insurance strategy is essential, both for property protection and wealth management purposes. As you review your goals and priorities, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your insurance advisor for guidance on your portfolio. ...

The impact of natural disasters on the insurance industry

With predictions of another season of significant weather events in the air, it’s important for us to give you an update on the current insurance landscape. The insurance industry is constantly evolving due to many factors and our goal is to keep you fully informed so you can better understand what is happening, why, and what you can do to mitigate the impact on your insurance program. The insurance industry is in the midst of a correction that largely began in California a few years ago and continues to spread across the country, particularly to regions most susceptible to wildfires, hurricanes, and other catastrophic climate events. Despite this, Americans continue to move into these areas, and that has put a serious strain on insurance carriers, which, in turn, is increasingly impacting even less-vulnerable areas. In the past five years, the U.S. has experienced 89 weather-related events that caused at least $1 billion in damage, and that trend is not abating. In 2022 there were 18 separate billion-dollar events making it the third most costly year on record for hurricanes, freezes, severe storms, wildfires, and floods. Floods, in fact, are the country’s most frequent and costliest natural disaster, now occurring often in areas not previously considered to be high-hazard ones. All of which means premiums continue to climb higher, non-renewals are more common than ever, and it is increasingly difficult to obtain coverage, wherever you live across the country. This is no doubt, frustrating news to clients but does have a silver lining: Several years of navigating this market has made our team extremely well equipped to guide you through its challenges and find creative solutions best fit for your unique needs. Three factors driving the market correction Insurance carriers engage in a constant struggle to sustain an economic model that allows them to pay the broadest number of claims. This moment in time remains a particularly tricky one for them because … 1. Capacity is low. Today’s carriers are significantly overexposed after decades of securing increasingly expensive homes in areas that have borne catastrophic losses from weather events. Even premiums that may seem unreasonably high to individual policyholders do not sufficiently cover carriers’ aggregate risk. Not only has this overexposure made carriers tighter with rates, but it has also made them more likely to refuse coverage altogether. This is the case in affected and unaffected areas alike, especially for owners of older homes that are not fitted with the latest protections or do not meet current building codes. A similar reluctance is occurring in areas like New York City, where aging infrastructure makes carriers wary. 2. Reinsurance costs are high. If carriers were left to pay off losses solely with the money they took in from premiums, insurance would be unsustainably expensive. That’s why they support their own exposure with reinsurance, essentially, coverage for losses they can’t cover on their own. Reinsurance guarantees carriers have enough cash no matter the cost of a loss. That said, the current combination of increased catastrophic events and heavier concentrations of multi-million-dollar homes in vulnerable areas impacts both insurance and reinsurance carriers. In fact, so drastically, reinsurance is now much costlier than before. When those rates rise, it makes it that much more complicated and expensive for carriers to provide adequate coverage for clients. There comes a tipping point when reinsurance becomes just too costly, especially government-regulated ones that are required to carry a certain surplus. 3. Inflation is making everything worse. The cost of replacing almost everything is significantly higher these days. Labor and materials are at sky-high prices because of ongoing supply-chain issues and skilled-worker shortages. Vehicle repair costs, to take one example, have risen steadily, and faster, in the past two years. The latest premium appliances may be more technologically advanced, but that also makes them more expensive. Much more basic materials such as paint, lumber, roofing and plumbing are pricier, too. And these costs continue to climb higher after a catastrophic event which puts pressure on available resources. Smart risk management strategies We continue to provide innovative solutions to help protect you and your belongings. But we also want to put you in the best possible position to ride out these challenging times. Specifically, we recommend that you… Do everything in your power to avoid a loss. Yes, accidents and climate events will unfortunately happen, but you can better prepare your home and property for both. Simple pre-emptive steps such as creating a brush-clearance zone in a wildfire-prone area or undergoing a windstorm mitigation inspection in storm-heavy areas are crucial. We can also help you schedule walk-throughs with professionals, who will spot potential trouble areas and recommend preventative measures. Likewise, we encourage you to embrace the available technology to minimize the likelihood of water loss or wind damage such as water leak detection devices and more. Protect your insurance coverage. A history of previous claims, even a short one, is often a strong predictor of premium hikes and non-renewals. It can also make it more difficult to secure new coverage. Thus, we encourage you to speak with your insurance professional prior to making any potential claim, so we can help you decide how best to proceed. (In some cases, that means taking on the expense yourself if possible.) Choose coverage strategically. If, as we suggest, you plan to file claims only in the most onerous scenarios, you can lower premiums by choosing higher deductibles. Other situations may call for you to self-insure or partially insure. For example, if your home has the best-possible wind protection and you do not carry a mortgage, foregoing wind coverage to make the premiums more reasonable might be a viable option. Contact us before signing a contract on a home: If you are considering buying in a risky geographic area, your broker can tell you if you will be able to purchase coverage—and whether the cost will be prohibitive. We understand that this is an extremely challenging market, but we are confident that we can help guide you to make it more manageable. If you have any questions about the current state of the market or whether your personal portfolio is adequately protected, please know we are always here to help guide you and your family.   ...

Market update: why premiums and nonrenewals are rising

The insurance industry is in the midst of a correction due to a significant increase in catastrophic events such as hurricanes, wildfires, floods, and more. This has resulted in some clients facing challenges, ranging from higher rate hikes to non-renewals. Whether you have been directly affected or not, we want to educate you on the current market situation. To help you better understand what is happening, why it’s happening, and how you can mitigate its impact on your insurance program, we convened a group of senior leaders to answer frequently asked questions. However, before we go into the details, let’s take a step back and talk about insurance more broadly. Essentially, the market only functions because risks are pooled, and thus transferable. To cover one person’s home (or automobile or boat, etc.), carriers need to receive premiums from all their clients in an amount sufficient to offset their total exposure. The downside: Your rates are not just affected by your personal claim experience, but also by all those in the pool with you. Insurance can’t work if rates are only raised for people who’ve made claims. So even if you have a clean record with no claims, you could experience a renewal where your rates go up because you are in an area that overall has had large losses. The upside: While the ‘pooling’ of risk means you will be impacted by other people’s losses, it also means that in the event you have a major loss, you will likely be paid an amount that greatly supersedes the amount you’ve paid in premium over time. Say you pay an annual premium of $16,000 over the course of 20 years, then in year 21 lose a house that is insured for $4 million due to a fire, you have still come out ahead. Alright, now to the FAQs... Why is the market in this current state? Although it may feel personal, the market conditions are not a direct affront to individuals. Instead, two main factors are driving the changes. First and foremost, extreme weather events have been increasing across many parts of the country. Examples include the rising number of wildfires in the West, which have doubled in the past few decades. While California and the Gulf Coast are particularly affected, the Northeast and Midwest have also experienced their share of challenges. At the same time, major cities nationwide are also struggling with the effects of an increasingly crumbling infrastructure. Aging pipes in urban buildings have led to more costly water damage claims. For example, one of our carriers has paid nearly double this decade in water losses, and the number one reason is plumbing failures. Furthermore, the rising costs of repairs and reconstruction have compounded the challenges. The demand for skilled labor in the rebuilding process now surpasses supply, and replacing high-end appliances and amenities comes at a steep price. It’s important to note that suitable temporary living arrangements during such times are also costly. Ok, so how will this affect my premiums? Where once we considered anything more than 10% on the high side, we now regularly see jumps of 20%-25% a year. We encourage you to contact your Account Executive regarding your specific program and how your premiums may or may not be affected. Does the new reality impact me if I don't live in an at-risk area? Its possible. Keep in mind, while you may live in an area less prone to catastrophic events, that doesn’t mean you are exempt from severe losses. Hailstorms in Wyoming, tornadoes in Texas and severe winter storms along the East, have all been areas with damaging losses over the past few years. Therefore, no area is truly immune to loss. Even if one area within a region is not at risk of catastrophic loss, there may still be a raise in rates within that state. For example, premiums may go up on a townhouse in San Francisco because of wildfires in L.A. County. The reality is, the impact of these trends is nationwide. So, it is important to speak with your insurance broker as some markets are increasing their thresholds in certain areas and others are not writing any new business. Is there any relief in sight? It depends largely on science. If major weather incidents and the ensuing catastrophic losses continue or increase, carriers will then need to continue to adjust their exposure and rates accordingly. What can I do to help myself? To keep your premiums as low as possible, and your coverage intact, make your account look as appealing as possible to underwriters. That means sustaining small losses, utilizing higher deductibles and keeping your insurance available for catastrophic, worst-case events. This will also provide premium savings. For example, data suggests that properties with one water loss will likely realize another one soon—particularly in apartment buildings. If you put in a claim for a small water loss, you may be a riskier proposition to carriers. Therefore, taking care of small claims, could work in your favor when your policy comes up for renewal. We also encourage you to comply with all the recommendations suggested by your insurance carrier and to pay your premiums on time. Brokers can no longer guarantee reinstatement if you cancel for non-pay. Also, take the time to contact your broker and review all of your coverages. When acquiring new items or properties make sure you reach out to them to ensure you have the proper protection. If you still haven’t told them that you purchased a new car for your son months ago or you started investing in a wine collection – you should place a quick call and confirm coverage has been issued accordingly. Lastly, if you live in areas with serious weather concerns and have experienced a non-renewal or a drastic rate increase, ask your broker about secondary markets. They’re not ideal, and coverage terms may not be as broad as your existing policy, but they’re better than nothing. Anything else I should know right now? If you plan to follow our advice and only put in claims for major losses, select policies with high deductibles. You can also get breaks on premiums by complying with any safety measures prescribed by your carrier. Even if you don’t think you need a leak detector or backup generator, putting one in anyway will maximize the credits. Hey, whatever it takes! Always know we are here to guide you through this correction and any other insurance concerns as well. ...

Alliant's leaders discuss the unprecedented insurance market

The insurance market is going through significant changes, many of which we have mentioned before: more difficulty in securing insurance, higher premiums nationwide, even non-renewals. But the situation continues to evolve, and there are early signs that the market will stabilize. To give you a clearer idea of where things stand and what the future may hold, two members of our leadership team share their thoughts. Is the current market as tough as everyone says? Cindy Zobian, EVP, Managing Director: Simply put, we have never seen market conditions like these before. In essence, it’s a capacity issue: the rate of natural disasters—and the damage caused by them—have increased exponentially while home values and rebuilding costs have gone sky high. Mark Recht, SVP: Case in point: we just got another announcement from a carrier about adjustments caused by inflation. Unfortunately, higher premiums and insurance challenges aren’t just happening to property owners in areas prone to most natural disasters, such as California and Florida. Those are countrywide phenomena. There is currently a cloud casted over the market. CZ: That said, we can see glimmers of light at the end of the tunnel! Well, that’s hopeful. What makes you optimistic about the future? MR: We saw a similar market a while back in Florida after Hurricane Andrew, but within a few years, things had shifted for the better. Homeowners learned to incorporate new and better risk-mitigation methods, the government placed stricter building codes, technology helped us to map the riskiest areas, and we incorporated more flexibility into insurance programs. Together, that all worked to stabilize the situation. As for the current moment, Cindy and I just met with reinsurers [Note: As a reminder, reinsurers assume a portion of carriers’ risks] and they told us they are in the process of figuring out how to add more capacity. If they can take on more risk, carriers will be able to as well. CZ: We have seen many insurance trends over the years, but, ultimately, they come down to finding a middle ground in the marketplace. That’s what the industry is striving for again today. I’m not saying the problems will be solved in a year, but our decades in the business have us hopeful that things will get easier eventually. At the same time, I don’t think insurance is going to be a buyer’s market again. What is Alliant Private Client doing to help policyholders in this market? CZ: We are being proactive. We don’t wait to get non-renewal notices or other surprises. Our team is constantly on the lookout for unexpected solutions to lost coverage. MR: For instance, clients are becoming more comfortable with unregulated solutions, so that has allowed us to be more creative in our use of non-admitted options. And without being arrogant, the fact that we are one of the largest brokers in the country gives us significant clout among carriers who have begun to prioritize trading partners. We are also working more with different organizations, and sometimes even direct writers, to be able to offer solutions that make things easier for our clients. And what can clients do to make things easier on themselves? MR: First and foremost, they need to recognize that it really is no longer a buyer’s market. These days, the priority is finding a suitable solution; pricing is secondary. Also, they should consider consolidating insurance solutions under one broker because carriers may, for example, be willing to take on your multi-million-dollar house in California’s brush territory if they are also insuring your less-expensive ranch in Idaho. You lose that benefit if you are dealing with multiple brokers. CZ: Also, when you get a bill, pay it on time. If you let your policy lapse, you might not be able to get it back. And be really thoughtful about making claims. Putting through even a $50,000 claim might hurt your premiums and renewal prospects. Be sure to discuss every potential claim with your broker first. Then they will help guide you on whether or not it’s in your best interest to put forth that claim. MR: And whenever you receive notice of a critical requirement—be it to trim brush or put in vents—follow through. Maybe you could ignore these in the past, but not anymore. Today, failure to comply might result in a policy cancellation. CZ: And lastly, of course, our clients should know that we are always here to help with questions and concerns about their risk management strategy. ...