Improved imagery, broader acceptance and pressure to handle more claims with fewer adjusters are making drones an increasingly routine part of property inspections.
Sedgwick’s 2026 loss adjusting outlook points to retiring adjusters, fragmented AI systems, complex infrastructure losses, catastrophe volatility and rising valuation disputes as major pressures on property claims organizations.
A Triple-I and Guidewire HazardHub case study found substantial differences in wildfire exposure among properties within the same California ZIP codes, suggesting parcel-level modeling could provide a more precise view of risk and mitigation.
Moisture left behind by Hurricanes Odalys and Polo is combining with a western storm system to produce heavy rain across the Southwest and Plains, raising the risk of flash flooding, property damage and difficult travel through Friday.
NOAA’s National Weather Service has expanded its experimental Flood Inundation Mapping system from 60% coverage to nearly the entire U.S. population, providing neighborhood-scale estimates of where river and stream flooding could occur.
A strengthening coastal storm is already producing flooding and beach erosion in the Mid-Atlantic and could bring damaging winds, heavy rain and additional coastal flooding to New York and New England through the weekend.
Verisk estimates U.S. natural catastrophes account for $117 billion of the industry's modeled annual insured losses, while extreme scenarios could push global losses well beyond $400 billion.
Recent surf damage in Southern California exposed significant flood insurance gaps as forecasters warn that El Niño could push coastal water levels higher this fall and winter.
Utah insurers declined to renew 4.45% of homeowners policies in 2025, putting the state ahead of California as wildfire exposure and underwriting restrictions reshape property insurance availability.
It was a face off with the remnants of Tropical Storm Marie for Nicolas Cage in Malibu, where coastal flooding sent part of his driveway gone in 60 seconds, opening a massive hole and triggering a gas leak.
UNESCO has warned there is a near-100% probability of a tsunami exceeding one meter somewhere in the Mediterranean over a 30-year period. Along parts of the French Riviera, locally generated waves could reach shore in less than 10 minutes.
McKinsey’s survey of 5,500 farmers finds extreme weather is a leading threat to farm profits in several markets, while growers facing tighter margins are delaying purchases and adopting AI for day-to-day decisions.
Congress is moving toward extending the federal terrorism insurance program through 2034, but certification requirements, cyber risks and exclusions in underlying policies could still determine whether losses are covered after an attack.
Extreme drought covered 44% of Puerto Rico by late August after rainfall fell far below normal in parts of the territory. Water rationing, crop losses and dwindling hay supplies have accompanied local and federal disaster declarations.
Marie is expected to remain well offshore, but forecasters warn its swell could produce dangerous rip currents, large waves and coastal flooding along Southern California, with the strongest effects expected Sunday and Monday.
