Latest Catastrophe Headlines

All the headlines from our Catastrophe Topic Page, ordered by recency.

Hawaii Web Site To Educate Homeowners on Hurricane Retrofits

Sep 26 2006 // Hawaii’s Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs’ Insurance Division has created a new website: www.hurricaneretrofits.hawaii.gov, which details the State’s Loss Mitigation Grant Program for Hawaii...

Insurers Reject Notion of TRIA Renewal for Nuclear-Biological Terrorism Risk Only

Sep 26 2006 // A new federal government report concludes that a totally private market solution to insuring against certain terrorist attacks is unlikely in the near future. The report covers the risk of nuclear, biological, chemical or...

Declarations

Sep 25 2006 // “We have survived two devastating storms and I will not allow our citizens to fall victim to fraud or abuse as we rebuild Louisiana. I am pleased that the U.S. Department of Justice and our state Attorney General...

Susan Voss, Iowa, Commissioner of Insurance

Sep 25 2006 // Iowa is perceived by other states as a model in terms of the number of companies domiciled in the state and those wanting to do business there, as well as having a very stable legislative and regulatory environment. But...

Agriculture industry starved for ways to reduce terrorism targets

Sep 25 2006 // The war against terrorism may be focused mostly in the Middle East, but people also should pay attention closer to home — especially to the U.S. agriculture industry, according to Dr. Jerry R. Gillespie, director of...

A year past Katrina: What has been learned?

Sep 25 2006 // Peak hurricane season has arrived. Despite this season’s slow start, people who live along the coast are constantly aware that the next big storm could take shape at any time. This year, however, everyone is also...

Commentary: Newton’s Third Law

Sep 25 2006 // Sir Isaac Newton’s third law of motion — “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction” — wouldn’t appear to have much to do with the insurance industry. If the Street...

P/C insurers’ performance exceeding Fitch estimates for 2006

Sep 25 2006 // The U.S. property/casualty insurance industry showed continued favorable and improved operating performance in the first half of 2006 and, based on results and barring any unusual events going forward, the industry is...

Agriculture industry starved for ways to reduce terrorism risk

Sep 25 2006 // The war against terrorism may be focused mostly in the Middle East, but people should also pay attention closer to home—especially to the U.S. agriculture industry, according to Dr. Jerry R. Gillespie, director of...

A year past Katrina: What has been learned?

Sep 25 2006 // Peak hurricane season has arrived. Despite this season’s slow start, people who live along the coast are constantly aware that the next big storm could take shape at any time. This year, however, all of us are also...

Iowa’s open dialogue and stable environment a ‘draw’ for insurers

Sep 25 2006 // Iowa is perceived by other states as a model in terms of the number of companies domiciled in the state and those wanting to do business there, as well as having a very stable legislative and regulatory environment. But...

Agriculture industry starved for ways to reduce terrorism risk

Sep 25 2006 // The war against terrorism may be focused mostly in the Middle East, but people should also pay attention closer to home–especially to the U.S. agriculture industry, according to Dr. Jerry R. Gillespie, director of...

Colorado State University predicts fewer hurricanes in 2006

Sep 25 2006 // Forecasters at Colorado State University have lowered their hurricane predictions for the year, based on below-average activity in August, as well as the ocean-weather patterns they track. “We expect slightly...

Post-storm season forecast

Sep 25 2006 // With lots of luck, the second half of the 2006 hurricane season will be as uneventful for most East Coast residents and businesses — and insurers — as the first half has been. Not that the first half...

S.C. not immune to deadly earthquakes

Sep 25 2006 // It was the biggest natural disaster in South Carolina before Hurricane Hugo. On September 8, the 120th anniversary of the Charleston earthquake passed quietly. The magnitude 7.3 earthquake on Aug. 31, 1886, killed more...

A year past Katrina: What has been learned?

Sep 25 2006 // Peak hurricane season has arrived. Despite this season’s slow start, people who live along the coast are constantly aware that the next big storm could take shape at any time. This year, however, all of us are also...

Reinsurers adopt ‘wait and see’ posture at Rendezvous

Sep 25 2006 // For the first time in two years the high and mighty from the reinsurance world gathered for their annual Rendezvous in Monte Carlo without having to face the consequences of an ongoing catastrophe (Ivan in 2004 and Katrina...

Editor’s Note: Post-storm season forecast

Sep 25 2006 // If the immediate hurricane trend does continue, there may be another storm that the insurance industry will have to weather: a political storm. With lots of luck, the second half of the 2006 hurricane season will be as...

Most Americans favor mitigation policies while opposing subsidies for high risks

Sep 25 2006 // Most Americans favor public policies that could help to mitigate the damage caused by catastrophic natural disasters before they happen, but many Americans remain unprepared for a disaster in their own homes and...

Colorado State University predicts fewer hurricanes in 2006

Sep 25 2006 // Forecasters at Colorado State University have lowered their hurricane predictions for the year, based on below-average activity in August, as well as the ocean-weather patterns they track. “We expect slightly...